The Eastern Conference-leading New England Revolution look to continue their hot start Saturday when they host the New York City Football Club in Foxborough, Mass.
The Revolution (4-1-0, 12 points) are coming off a dramatic 2-1 road win over D.C. United on March 25. Later that night, NYCFC (2-2-1, 7 points) staged their worst performance of the young season in a 1-0 loss to the host Houston Dynamo.
The Revolution recorded their second consecutive win by scoring twice in the final 27 minutes on a rainy night in the nation’s capital. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Gustavo Bou tied the game with his team-leading second goal of the season when he scored off a crossing pass from Carles Gil in the 63rd minute.
The game winner came in the 88th minute, when D.C. United failed to clear a corner kick and New England’s 17-year-old midfielder, Noel Buck, collected the ball and drove a low shot that deflected off a defender and past helpless goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
“Noel, I thought, played a complete game and I think for our first 60 minutes, he was probably our best player,” New England coach Bruce Arena said of Buck, who has started every game so far this season. “He continues to grow physically, which is impressive. His tactical understanding, his first touch is very good. He’s got an excellent work rate. He’s become a really good player.”
NYCFC struggled offensively against Houston, which scored the game’s only goal on Amine Bassi’s penalty kick in the 55th minute.
NYCFC mustered just five shots but just one was on target.
“Obviously, the game was decided on the penalty kick, and it took the points away,” NYCFC forward Matias Pellegrini said. “After that goal, we definitely were attacking a lot more. They were giving us the ball, but they sat back and defended. They defended well.
“We had a couple of opportunities from crosses, but it just wasn’t meant to be. It was not the result we wanted, but now we turn the page.”
–Field Level Media