August 28, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – New England Revolution News Release
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (15-4-4; 46 pts.) saw their nine-game unbeaten run snapped on Saturday night with a 2-0 loss to New York City FC (10-6-4) at Yankee Stadium. New York City forward Valentín Castellanos scored both goals for the hosts on the night. Despite the result, New England’s first loss since July 7, the Revolution remain 14 points ahead of the competition in the Eastern Conference.
New England defender Andrew Farrell, who captained the first-place Revolution in tonight’s match, made his 262nd MLS regular season appearance to become the club’s all-time leader in the games played, passing Shalrie Joseph and Diego Fagundez. Farrell, the MLS leader in minutes played this season, submitted another 90-minute shift in his 23rd start of the season. The ninth-year defender has seen more regular season action than any MLS player since he entered the league in 2013.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner and forward Gustavo Bou both saw action following their appearances in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night. Turner, who was named the All-Star Game MVP, made three saves on the night. The result ended Turner’s stretch of 12 straight games without a loss across his time with New England and the U.S. Men’s National Team. Bou played the entire second half after coming on as a substitute, recording one shot.
New England will return to action on Friday night, Sept. 3 against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff airs locally on myTV38, myRITV, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and 1260 AM Nossa Radio.
POSTGAME NOTES
New England Revolution 0, New York City FC 2
August 28, 2021 – Yankee Stadium (Bronx, N.Y.)
Team Notes:
The first-place New England Revolution suffered their first loss since July 7, falling on the road to New York City FC on Saturday night, 2-0.
The Revolution’s unbeaten streak ends at nine games, tied for the third longest in club history and its longest since an 11-game run in 2019.
New England remains 14 points ahead of second-place Orlando City SC (35 pts.) in the Eastern Conference standings. The 14-point gap between first and second place is nearly equal to the 13-point distance between second and 12th place in the conference.
Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena made three changes to the Starting XI from last Saturday’s 4-1 win over FC Cincinnati as Maciel, Arnór Traustason, and Teal Bunbury all started in place of Scott Caldwell, Tajon Buchanan, and Gustavo Bou.
Individual Notes:
Andrew Farrell (262) passed Shalrie Joseph and Diego Fagundez for the most regular season appearances in club history. Farrell, who leads MLS in starts, appearances, and minutes played since he entered the league in 2013, is now New England’s all-time leader in all three of those categories with 262 games played, 259 starts, and 23,112 minutes played.
Farrell marked the occasion with team highs in clearances (7) and interceptions (3).
Adam Buksa recorded four shots on the night in a 90-minute effort, drawing a team-high five fouls and winning eight duels.
Matt Polster saw his first action since Aug. 14, returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for two matches. Polster played 33 minutes and completed 26 of his 27 passes.
Emmanuel Boateng started for the second straight contest, playing 45 minutes and registering a team-high three chances created.
Gustavo Bou, who replaced Boateng at halftime, played the final 45 minutes after starting in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Bou recorded one shot on the night.
Christian Mafla made his second straight start and fifth of the season, playing 75 minutes. The Colombian defender won all five of his duels and had six recoveries.
Maciel made his 14th MLS start, playing 90 minutes for the fifth time this season. The Brazilian set a new career high as a pro with his 17th appearance, passing his 16 games played with Revolution II in 2021.
Edward Kizza made his first appearance for New England since July 7. The rookie forward has scored four goals in seven games with Revolution II this season.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt (AR1); Gianni Facchini (AR2)
Fourth Official: Silviu Petrescu
Video Assistant Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Weather: 69 degrees and cloudy
Scoring Summary:
NYC – Valentín Castellanos 9 (Maxi Moralez 7) 31′
NYC – Valentín Castellanos 10 (Maxi Moralez 8, Keaton Parks 2) 55′
Misconduct Summary:
NYC – Santiago Rodriguez (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 37′
NYC – James Sands (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior) 40′
NYC – Maxime Chanot (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 45’+1
NE – Andrew Farrell (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 45’+3
NE – Matt Polster (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 86′
NYC – Gudmundur Thórarinsson (Yellow Card – Time Wasting) 87′
NYC – Andres Jasson (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 90’+3
New England Revolution: Matt Turner; DeJuan Jones (A.J. DeLaGarza 58′), Andrew Farrell ©, Henry Kessler, Christian Mafla (Wilfrid Kaptoum 75′); Emmanuel Boateng (Gustavo Bou 46′), Maciel, Tommy McNamara, Arnór Traustason (Matt Polster 57′); Teal Bunbury (Edward Kizza 75′), Adam Buksa.
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Collin Verfurth, Scott Caldwell, Justin Rennicks.
New York City FC: Sean Johnson ©; Anton Tinnerholm, Maxime Chanot, Alexander Callens, James Sands; Santiago Rodriguez (Andres Jasson 69′), Keaton Parks (Alfredo Morales 78′), Gudmundur Thórarinsson (Malte Amundsen 87′), Jesús Medina (Nicolás Acevedo 78′), Maxi Moralez, Valentín Castellanos (Talles Magno 87′).
Substitutes Not Used: Luis Barraza, Chris Gloster, Tayvon Gray, Tony Rocha.
New York City FC Team Statistics New England Revolution
19 (5)
Shots (on Target) 12 (1)
3
Blocked Shots 2
1 Saves 3
7 Corner Kicks 10
3 Offsides 0
17 Fouls 7
450 (82.4%) Passes Attempted (% Completed) 422 (79.9%)
51.3% Possession 48.7%
POSTGAME QUOTES
New England Revolution Sporting Director & Head Coach Bruce Arena
On Gustavo Bou not starting the match but playing 45 minutes off the bench:
Arena: “[Gustavo Bou] didn’t get back until Thursday night. Obviously, we have to think about player safety. Maybe the league didn’t think about that when they inserted the All-Star Game in this date like they did, but it was important that we were smart about how we dealt with that stuff.”
On Tajon Buchanan’s suspension for missing the MLS All-Star Game:
Arena: “Well, we prioritize league competition. It was suggested to us that we would perhaps have Tajon [Buchanan] travel instead of playing in the Cincinnati game, but we put league competition first, we put the transfer second, we put player safety third, and then the exhibition, which I think the All-Star Game is a nice event to have, but it doesn’t take priority of those other three things.”
On struggling to create chances:
Arena: “Yeah, [New York City FC] outplayed us, no question about that. They outplayed us on the night and deserved to win. If you look at 11 matchups on the field, they probably won all of them – let’s say 10 field players. They outplayed us all over the field. They outcoached us as well. Don’t just put this on the players. They outcoached us also.”
On Christian Mafla earning his second straight start:
Arena: “[Christian Mafla] was okay. It was an okay performance. He obviously needs to play more and get fitter.”
On his takeaways from Saturday’s match:
Arena: “I don’t take a whole lot out of it. You know, I hate losing the game. We never prepare our team to lose a game, but given the circumstances it was going to be difficult and leave it at that. Obviously, the schedule that has been put together over the last couple of months is real difficult on teams and players. It’s challenging and I think it all added up tonight on us. And at the same time, give NYCFC credit. They played very well and outplayed us and deserved to win the game.”
On taking Emmanuel Boateng off at halftime:
Arena: “I just think we needed to make a change. We were going to get [Gustavo] Bou on the field and somebody had to come out and Ema [Boateng] was the choice.”
New England Revolution Defender Andrew Farrell
On being without Tajon Buchanan due to suspension:
Farrell: “Yeah, he’s one of our better players so – I mean, we could have used Carles [Gil] as well. Obviously, missing one of our best players going forward, it’s obviously not ideal. But yeah, we still have won games without those guys. I don’t think we performed too well. It’s disappointing, but again, we play them in two weeks, and we’ve got another game on Friday against Philadelphia, another good team. So, we’ve just got to get ready and prepared for that.”
On how to sum up Saturday’s match:
Farrell: “Yeah, I think disappointing. I think it’s not one to toss away and obviously, we’re playing them in two weeks, like I said, so it’s important for us to watch what we did not well, which was a lot of things. I don’t think we defended too well, we didn’t really press well, we could’ve communicated better. There’s a lot of things that we could have done better that we have been doing in the past games. That’s what — as a team, when we play collectively as a team, that’s what gets us the results. Obviously, we have great talents on top who can win us games, but if we don’t play as a team, it’s hard to beat a team especially like New York City FC which is really, really talented. So, we’re disappointed with the result. We got another opportunity against them later in the year, in two weeks, and then we’ve got another big game against Philly.”
On wearing the captain’s armband as he set the Revolution record for MLS appearances:
Farrell: “It felt good. The coaches and the players put that belief in me, and it’s obviously a great accomplishment, especially to be able to be on such a successful team, that when I’m doing it this year, playing a good amount of minutes, it feels great to be a part of this special group and they just make it so much fun every day. That’s why it’s easy to be showing up, even when you’re in pain and you’re bruised and you’re too tired, it’s easy when work is fun. This coaching staff has come in and made it so much fun. And the front office and every person behind the scenes since I’ve been here has made it a fun place to work. It doesn’t feel like work, obviously, it feels like just fun and hanging out with my friends. Yeah, it feels great and it’s an honor to lead the guys out. Obviously, disappointed with the result, but we’ve got a big one on Friday, so we’ve got to get ready to kick some ass.”
On Tajon Buchanan’s suspension due to missing the MLS All-Star Game:
Farrell: “I mean, I don’t make the rules. Obviously, we wished we had [Tajon Buchanan]. Obviously, again congratulations to Tajon for signing [with Club Brugge KV]. It’s a great accomplishment for him, especially in coming through the [MLS SuperDraft] and college soccer, to come to MLS and then be sold for a high amount of money for him. He’s worked so hard and obviously we’re happy for him and we’re happy to have him back next game. We’re disappointed not having him, but I don’t make the rules.”
On messages from Shalrie Joseph and Diego Fagundez after breaking their shared club appearance record:
Farrell: “Yeah, I’ve talked to both those guys. I see Shalrie [Joseph] obviously a lot in the locker room, but Diego [Fagundez] as well. And yeah, those guys are great friends, but just those guys are legends. I mean, what they’ve done for the club, Shalrie especially, getting this club to where it’s gotten to so many times and into so many finals. And then coming back in, and I played with him for a couple years and then he has been in the coaching staff and within the [Revolution] Academy. He’s such a great leader and such a good person to have around. So, being able to be in conversations with those guys, it’s unbelievable. Obviously, Diego, you guys know what he has done for this club at such a young age. Obviously, I wish him the best in Austin, he’s doing well. Yeah, it feels great, and I’ve talked to those guys. It feels great to be in the conversation with those guys.”
On Christian Mafla earning his second straight start:
Farrell: “Yeah, I think [Christian Mafla] did well. I think [New York City FC] has great attacking players. It’s so hard to deal with this attack, it moves really well, they just move all over the place. So, you’re playing against they’re number nine and their number 10, but then sometimes the winger comes inside, and the number ten goes out wide. It’s a lot of movement and a lot of communication, so I think he did a good job. I think one of the things that we can do better, all the whole backline, we got to communicate. We also got to pull the two defensive midfielders in front of us and try to hold on a little bit and be a little more compact. I think he has done well getting accustomed to the league. It’s hard. A lot of people don’t realize that, how hard it is from different leagues, to come into the MLS and I think he’s done a good job.”
Revolution Midfielder Arnór Traustason:
On the smaller field at Yankee Stadium and playing without Tajon Buchanan and Carles Gil tonight:
Traustason: “I mean, there’s no excuses, really, for the performance we had today, so we cannot have the field as an excuse. We cannot have an excuse that we missed some players. So, no, not really. It was just bad.”
On how the team will look to bounce back and move forward after tonight’s loss:
Traustason: “I mean, we got outplayed in every situation. Obviously, we need to step up our game. We need to learn from this, because this is not okay. We have to sit down and we have to go over this game and learn, and quick.”
On his overall assessment of tonight’s performance:
Traustason: “Like I said before, there’s no excuse that we are missing players or the field. So it was a bad, bad performance and we need to learn from this, and ASAP. Like I said before, they just outplayed us in every situation. We had no answers, really.”
On his reaction to Tajon Buchanan’s transfer to Club Brugge:
Traustason: “It’s amazing, amazing for him. It’s a big club, a club with a lot of history. So he’s going to settle quite well in there. His ability, if he holds the cards right, every path is open for him. It’ll be amazing, really, so I’m really happy for him.”
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