Emmanuel Boateng, Gustavo Bou and Carles Gil all scored in the second half as the New England Revolution earned a 3-1 win over visiting Orlando City on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.
The Revolution (9-3-6, 33 points) are on a two-game winning streak and are unbeaten (2-0-3) over their last five games. New England has a 6-0-3 record at home this season.
Duncan McGuire scored for Orlando City (7-5-5, 26 points), who were also unbeaten (3-0-3) in their previous six games. The Lions are 4-2-2 in away games, entering the weekend’s play with a league-best 14 points on the road.
However, Orlando was missing five regulars Saturday due to international duty (Facundo Torres, Pedro Gallese, Wilder Cartagena) or suspension (Antonio Carlos, Kyle Smith).
The new-look lineup outshot New England by a 16-14 margin but didn’t really start clicking until after the Revs took the lead in the 51st minute.
Lions goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar knocked away a cross attempt from Bou, but the ball went right to Boateng at the edge of the box. The midfielder blasted home the shot for the game’s opening goal and Boateng’s second goal of the season.
Orlando City threatened to equalize several times over the next 15 minutes, but Bou cut short the rally and extended the Revolution’s lead in the 69th minute. Bou created space for himself just outside the box and then buried a tremendous left-footed shot.
McGuire’s header in the 80th minute gave Orlando City a late spark, but Gil put the game away with his team-leading seventh goal of the season. New England got a 3-on-2 advantage on the counter-attack in the 85th minute, with Gil converting the scoring chance.
Earl Edwards Jr. made three saves, including a brilliant hand save to deny Martin Ojeda in the 63rd minute. Edwards was making his first appearance of the season since regular goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was away on international duty.
–Field Level Media