MLS New England Revolution

Revolution Clinch Berth in MLS Is Back Tournament Knockout Stage with Scoreless Draw vs. Toronto FC

Published on July 21, 2020 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - The New England Revolution (1-1-3, 6 pts.) played to a 0-0 draw with Toronto FC (2-0-3; 9 pts.) on Tuesday morning to close Group C play in the MLS is Back Tournament. The result clinches New England's berth in the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16 as the club finishes the group stage unbeaten with a 1-0-2 mark, and extends its streak of matches without a loss to four (1-0-3).

New England's Round of 16 opponent and match date is yet to be determined, as tonight's Group C finale between D.C. United and the Montreal Impact (10:30 p.m. ET) will determine final group seeding. Click here to view the complete MLS is Back Tournament bracket and Round of 16 scenarios. If D.C. United loses or ties against Montreal tonight, the Revolution would finish second in Group C and play the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, July 25 at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). If D.C. wins tonight, seeding will be determined by tiebreakers beginning with goal differential, followed by goals scored.

In the club's earliest ever kickoff, a 9:00 a.m. ET start, New England secured its second clean sheet of the tournament as goalkeeper Matt Turner recorded a season-high five saves. Andrew Farrell made his tournament debut, earning the start in defense alongside rookie Henry Kessler. Meanwhile, midfielder Diego Fagundez, who tied Jay Heaps for the third most games played in club history (246), paced New England's attack with three shots and one shot on goal in his 90-minute outing. Midfielder Tajon Buchanan made his first start of the season and logged two shots in 90 minutes of play.

Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena, who made six changes to his starting lineup from last Friday's 1-1 draw with D.C. United, remains unbeaten in the month of July (5-0-3) since joining the Revolution. Under Arena, the Revolution have lost only four times in 24 regular season matches, posting a 9-4-11 mark.

New England Revolution 0, Toronto FC 0

July 21, 2020 - ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, Fla.)

Revolution Clinch Berth in Round of 16 with 0-0 Draw

The Revolution (1-1-3, 6 pts.) played to a scoreless draw with Toronto FC (2-0-3, 9 pts.) in the club's final Group C contest. With five points (1-0-2) after group play, the Revolution have clinched a berth in the MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage and will play an opponent yet to be determined in the Round of 16.

Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena's all-time record against Toronto FC moves to 7-2-7. The only other scoreless draw in the Revs' all-time series with Toronto, which now stands at 13-8-11 in New England's favor, came on June 15, 2011.

The Revolution have lost only four times in 24 regular season games under Arena, posting a 9-4-11 record since June 2, 2019. His Revolution record in July moves to an unbeaten 5-0-3.

The tie was the 100th of Bruce Arena's regular season career, as his all-time record moves to 211-125-100.

Andrew Farrell Returns to Starting Lineup

Defender Andrew Farrell made his first start of the MLS is Back Tournament in today's match, helping secure the shutout after missing the first two games with a left quad injury. Farrell played 90 minutes at center back and recorded four tackles.

Farrell made the 220th start of his regular season career in today's match, tying him with Chris Tierney for the fourth most starts in Revolution history.

Diego Fagundez Equals Heaps for Revs Appearances

Midfielder Diego Fagundez recorded his 246th MLS regular season appearance today, tying him with Jay Heaps for the third most games played in club history. The Leominster, Mass. native also eclipsed Lee Nguyen (16,122) for eighth on the Revs' minutes played charts.

Fagundez, 25, is closing on Shalrie Joseph's Revolution record of 261 games played, needing only 15 more appearances to match the all-time mark.

Midfielder Scott Caldwell -- the second Homegrown Player in club history behind Fagundez -- passed Steve Ralston (201) for the eighth most games played in Revs history with 202. The start was Caldwell's fourth of the 2020 season.

Kessler Adds Fifth Appearance, Third Start

Starting alongside Andrew Farrell on the back line was rookie defender Henry Kessler, who has appeared in all five games this season with three starts at center back. The University of Virginia product was drafted sixth overall by New England in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.

Arena Rotates Starting Lineup with Six Changes

Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena made six changes to the starting lineup, rotating nearly half the squad from the most recent match on July 17, a 1-1 draw vs. D.C. United.

Andrew Farrell, Henry Kessler, DeJuan Jones, Tajon Buchanan, Diego Fagundez, and Teal Bunbury (captain) replaced Antonio Delamea, Michael Mancienne, Alexander Büttner, Gustavo Bou, Carles Gil, and Cristian Penilla in the Starting XI.

GAME CAPSULE

Referee: Jair Marrufo

Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott (AR1), Nick Uranga (AR2)

Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos

Assistant Video Referee: Armando Villarreal

Weather: 85 degrees and clear

Attendance: N/A

Scoring Summary:

None

Misconduct Summary:

NE - Kelyn Rowe (Yellow Card- Unsporting Behavior) 38'

NE - Scott Caldwell (Yellow Card- Unsporting Behavior) 41'

TOR - Michael Bradley (Yellow Card- Unsporting Behavior) 50'

New England Revolution: Matt Turner; Brandon Bye, Andrew Farrell, Henry Kessler, DeJuan Jones; Tajon Buchanan, Kelyn Rowe (Gustavo Bou 60'), Scott Caldwell (Wilfried Zahibo 45'), Teal Bunbury © (Cristian Penilla 60'), Diego Fagundez, Adam Buksa (Justin Rennicks 77')

Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Jeff Caldwell, Alexander Büttner, Michael Mancienne, Seth Sinovic, Antonio Delamea, Isaac Angking, Damian Rivera

Toronto FC: Alex Bono; Auro (Laurent Ciman 82'), Omar Gonzalez, Chris Mavinga (Jozy Altidore 86'), Richie Laryea; Pablo Piatti (Tsubasa Endoh 67'), Michael Bradley ©, Marky Delgado (Noble Okello 68'), Nick DeLeon (Jacob Shaffelburg 45'), Alejandro Pozuelo, Ayo Akinola

Substitutes Not Used: Quentin Westberg, Eriq Zavaleta, Erickson Gallardo, Patrick Mullins, Griffin Dorsey, Liam Fraser, Jayden Nelson

New England Revolution Team Statistics Toronto FC

10 (2) Shots (on Target) 14 (5)

5 Saves 2

5 Corner Kicks 6

5 Offsides 1

14 Fouls 11

291 (75%) Passes Attempted (% Completed) 469 (83 %)

39.6% Possession 60.4%

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 21, 2020


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