The New England Revolution battled it out in Illinois over the weekend and secured a spot in the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs in the process. There has been a whirlwind of drama surrounding the club but that hasn’t prevented them from returning to Massachusetts with a point.
2023 MLS Cup Playoffs will Feature the Revolution
Drawing in Chicago
Christian Benteke scored a hat-trick for D.C. United against the New York Red Bulls but conceding five at the other end left them without a point to show for it. This D.C. defeat worked in the favour of the Revolution as, along with a draw of their own, they booked their place in the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs as a result.
Having conceded late goals against Austin FC and Minnesota United before losing to the struggling Colorado Rapids, this was a step in the right direction. Tomas Chancalay added to his brace in the Austin game by scoring the opener at Soldier Field and he continues to grow as a player in New England.
20-year-old Brian Gutierrez hit back just moments later for the home side and they then took the lead in the second-half thanks to Paraguayan international Gaston Gimenez. The Revs’ captain Carles Gil made it 2-2 away from home his 16th goal contribution of the MLS season.
In Carles Gil we trust.
The well fought goal that brought us back to level.
pic.twitter.com/eChyHWAoSi
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 24, 2023
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Defender Omar Gonzalez had this to say on the game and particularly, the ability to come from behind. “It was massive. To be down one and to get a goal to bring it back level was huge. It felt great knowing that we tied the game.”
He continued, “I saw the look in my teammates’ eyes and we wanted to push for the win. In recent games, we’ve had the lead and then they scored and levelled the game on us, so it felt like a loss. Tonight, coming from the other way, it’s not a win but it doesn’t feel like a loss like the other ones did, so it doesn’t sting as much. We levelled. We held strong.”
Looking Ahead to Charlotte Clash and 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs
From one Eastern Conference rival to another as the Revs face Charlotte FC. They currently sit 13th in the standings on this side of the division and are a point below 12th-placed Chicago. It is just about a month ago that Charlotte won a game in MLS and that was over LAFC no less.
Since then, Christian Lattanzio’s side have drawn four games and loss one. Their latest outing was the sole defeat in question and it came at the hands of FC Cincinnati. Young Argentine Alvaro Barreal opened the scoring on the brink of half-time and then goals from Aaron Boupendza and Luciano Acosta in the second 45 secured the three points.
With a loss for D.C., @NERevolution clinch a spot in the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs. #NERevs pic.twitter.com/dZ6klMwsI2
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 24, 2023
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As previously mentioned, results went the way of the Revolution and so they will be playing in the post-season. When asked about this achievement, the man at the helm in New England, Clint Peay, said the following.
“That’s the main goal, to get in the playoffs and give yourself a chance, but we’re not satisfied. We want to get the highest seed that we can possibly have to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs to the best of our ability. We still have a couple of tough games to go and that’s going to be our goal moving forward.”
It hasn’t been an easy year for the Revs on the field or off the field but they continue to push forward and have the certainty of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs now.
Featured image credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports, taken Sept 23, 2023.
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