The New England Revolution opened the 2024 MLS season with a hard-luck 3-1 loss to D.C. United on Saturday night time at Audi Field within the nation’s capital.
D.C. United dynamic striker Christian Benteke was the distinction maker with three targets towards an undermanned Revolution squad.
Revolution ahead Giacomo Vrioni compromised the Revolution’s probabilities with a pair of pricey first-half errors that caught the eye of referee Andrew Musashe.
Vrioni picked a yellow card for delaying the restart within the thirteenth minute and was issued a second for a tough takedown within the twenty fifth to place the Revolution down a person for the rest of the sport.
“If we didn’t give up that red card, I think it is a different game,” mentioned Revolution head coach Caleb Porter. “Everybody on the crew has to be taught from this as a lesson and the primary yellow shouldn’t occur and I haven’t seen a replay on the second yellow.
“Knowing he was on a yellow he shouldn’t be leaving his feet. I am not sure he got him but I haven’t seen it. When you leave your feet on a yellow already you are putting yourself in a situation you shouldn’t be in.”
The Revolution opened the season with a 1-0 victory over CA Independiente on Wednesday night time in spherical one of many Concacaf Champions Cup in Panama. The Revolution will resume their stretch of 4 video games in 11 after they host CA Independiente within the second leg of their Champions Cup sequence at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night time (8:15). The Revolution will face Toronto FC within the MLS residence opener in a Sunday matinee (2) on March 3.
“It has been a long preseason and a long road trip up from Panama,” mentioned Porter. “These guys want a break, take a break day and circle the wagons and reset and we go once more subsequent week with two residence video games.
“It will be nice to be home in front of our supporters and we need their support and their energy. We want to get that first home win on Thursday to advance in the Champions Cup and our first league win at home on Sunday.”
Porter made a number of modifications to the Starting XI that blanked CA Independiente. Jonathan Mensah said at middle again alongside Dave Romney whereas homegrowns Noel Buck was inserted within the midfield and Esmir Bajraktarevic on the assault. Both Buck and Bajraktarevic had been second half substitutes towards CA Independiente.
Both of those authentic MLS franchises are below first-year area managers, however Porter was the one one calling the pictures from the sidelines. D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne, who was beforehand employed by the Red Bulls, was serving a suspension for drawing a crimson card in his closing sport with New York in 2023. Assistant coach Zach Prince was on the helm.
While Lesesne was off the grid, his fingerprints had been everywhere in the swarming single striker formation that had the Revolution on their heels from the onset.
D.C. United went up 1-0 within the thirty fifth minute when Benteke headed the ball over the road. Ravas appeared to have made a spectacular save, however an official overview confirmed the ball clearly crossed the road.
Benteke led the membership with 14 targets final season. The Revs caught a break when midfielder Jared Stroud’s uncontested bid in stoppage time bounced off the crossbar.
“I can’t ask for much more from the group in that second half,” mentioned Porter. “A lot of time 1-0 that long and we hung in and I thought we could claw out a point.”
The Revolution had alternatives to tie the sport on three set items early within the second half however failed to attain. Carles Gil tied the sport 1-1 within the 68th minute with a tremendous shot that curled contained in the far submit.
“What a tremendous goal by Carles, a world-class goal,” mentioned Porter. “He and everyone worked hard and ran hard.”
Beneke put D.C, United up 2-1 when Benteke completed a set piece with a sliding kick within the 72nd minute. Benteke potted a header within the 93rd minute to finish the hat trick.
Source: www.bostonherald.com