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New England Revolution

Revolution Defeat Atlanta United FC, 1-0

July 17, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution (8-3-3; 27 pts.) defeated Atlanta United (2-4-7; 13 pts.), 1-0, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. Gustavo Bou delivered the game-winning goal, his team-leading seventh of the season, on a left-footed strike from the center of the box in the 18th minute. Forward Adam Buksa and midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum registered the assists on Bou's tally. With the win, New England sweeps the season series with Atlanta (2-0-0) as the Revs pick up their fourth clean sheet of the season.

Bou's first-half tally was his sixth goal over the last seven contests. The Argentinian striker, who made his Revolution debut two years ago today on July 17, 2019, now owns 21 regular season goals - fourth most in MLS during that span - with seven assists. Buksa logged a game-high five shots and collected his first assist of the season, while Kaptoum collected his first helper in MLS. Meanwhile, Carles Gil registered game highs in touches (58) and key passes (5), in addition to three shots, including a curling left-footed effort in the 25th minute that struck woodwork.

Goalkeeper Brad Knighton made five saves in the clean-sheet performance, marking his first shutout since Oct. 13, 2018. The defense was anchored by the center back pairing of Henry Kessler and Andrew Farrell, as the latter continues to climb the club's record books. Farrell became the third Revolution player to register 250 starts in a New England uniform, joining Matt Reis (253) and Shalrie Joseph (254). Right back Brandon Bye was also influential in defense as he won possession a game-high eight times.

New England returns to action on Wednesday, July 21, when the club visits Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium in the first-ever encounter between the two sides. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on WSBK-TV38, myRITV, 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBIX 1260 AM Nossa Radio.

POSTGAME NOTES

New England Revolution 1, Atlanta United 0

July 17, 2021 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)

The New England Revolution (8-3-3, 27 pts.) picked up three points on the road Saturday with a 1-0 win against Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Revs remain in first place in the Eastern Conference, where the club has been positioned since May 16.

During the match, Revolution players and staff wore black armbands to honor the memory of Paul Mariner.

The Revs are now 3-2-3 away from home this season, moving into a tie for the most away wins in MLS. New England owns a league-best 15 away wins (reg. season and playoffs) since Bruce Arena took over as head coach on June 2, 2019.

The Revolution have swept the 2021 regular season series against Atlanta (2-0-0), marking the Revs' first two wins all-time against the 2017 MLS expansion club (2-4-2; 1-3-0 away). Today's defeat was Atlanta United's first home loss of the season.

Gustavo Bou tallied his sixth goal in seven games when he opened the scoring in the 18th minute, assisted by Adam Buksa and Wilfrid Kaptoum.

Bou entered the week tied for the fifth-most goals in MLS. Now with seven goals on the year - most on the Revs - Bou is tied for third in the MLS scoring race as of the end of the match.

Bou debuted for the Revolution two years ago today on July 17, 2019. He has totaled 21 regular season goals since then, fourth most during that span, while his 19 goals from open play are tied for third.

The opening goal was New England's 12th strike in the first half this season, most in MLS.

Andrew Farrell is now the third player to make 250 MLS appearance in a Revolution uniform. He is four appearances away from passing Matt Reis (253) and tying Shalrie Joseph (254) for the club record in starts.

The Revolution's starting lineup included one change from the previous match on July 7 vs. Toronto, as Wilfrid Kaptoum started in place of Teal Bunbury. Kaptoum recorded his first MLS assist on Bou's opening goal in his third start of the season - his first since May 22.

Adam Buksa registered the primary assist on Bou's goal, his first helper of the season and his third in MLS.

Carles Gil finished the night with game highs in touches (58) and key passes (5). He also recorded three two shots - one on target - including a curling left-footed shot that rang off the post in the first half.

Brad Knighton made his second start of the season in net and recorded five saves in his first MLS shutout since Oct. 13, 2018. It was the 14th shutout of his MLS career in 74 starts.

Henry Kessler earned his third consecutive start and ninth of the season in central defense.

Christian Mafla saw 18 minutes of action at left back, replacing DeJuan Jones in the 72nd minute to make his second MLS appearance.

GAME CAPSULE

REFEREE: Victor Rivas

Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell (AR1), Chris Elliot (AR2)

4th: Jonathan Belinski

Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Terry Jr.

Weather: Indoors

Attendance: 42,517

Scoring Summary:

NE- Gustavo Bou 7 (Adam Buksa 1, Wilfrid Kaptoum 1) 18'

Misconduct Summary:

ATL- Alan Franco (Yellow Card- Bad Foul) 69'

ATL- Jackson Conway (Yellow Card- Bad Foul) 75'

NE- Henry Kessler (Yellow Card- Bad Foul) 77'

New England Revolution: Brad Knighton; Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye, DeJuan Jones (Christian Mafla 72'), Henry Kessler; Matt Polster, Maciel (Arnór Traustason 82'); Wilfrid Kaptoum (Tommy McNamara 67'), Carles Gil ©; Adam Buksa, Gustavo Bou (Teal Bunbury 83')

Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., A.J. DeLaGarza, Jonathan Bell, Emmanuel Boateng, Scott Caldwell

Atlanta United: Alec Kann, Anton Walkes ©, Alan Franco, Brooks Lennon, George Campbell; Amar Sejdic, Jake Mulraney, Machop Chol; Marcelino Moreno, Erik Lopez (Tyler Wolff 77'), Erick Torres (Jackson Conway 58')

Substitutes Not Used: Ronald Hernandez, Alex De John, Matheus Rossetto, Ben Lundgaard, Josh Bauer, Mikey Ambrose

New England Revolution Team Statistics Atlanta United

13 (5) Shots (on Target) 15 (5)

2 Blocked Shots 5

5 Saves 4

7 Corner Kicks 5

1 Offsides 1

11 Fouls 10

297 (77.4%) Passes Attempted (% Completed) 467 (83.7%)

39.4% Possession 60.6%

POSTGAME QUOTES: New England Revolution at Atlanta United FC

Revolution Sporting Director & Head Coach Bruce Arena

On keeping a clean sheet and the return of Wilfrid Kaptoum to the lineup:

Arena: "A good shutout. I think, if I'm not mistaken, [Atlanta United] had very few legitimate goal-scoring opportunities. Obviously, a few shots that Brad [Knighton] was able to handle but defensively, we did well. In all fairness to them, they're missing a couple players, which doesn't help them. I thought [Wilfrid] Kaptoum, for his first game in a while, played very well in the midfield with Maciel, [Matt] Polster and [Carles] Gil, and did a good job."

On Adam Buksa and his work rate on Saturday night:

Arena: "[Adam Buksa] made a heck of a play that helped create Gustavo [Bou's] goal. He worked pretty hard, did a good job as the game went on holding the ball up, and was a bit of a nuisance, so he did a good job."

On DeJuan Jones' status and Christian Mafla's fitness:

Arena: "Well, [Christian] Mafla played. So, he's fit, right? [DeJuan] Jones, I don't know where he stands right now."

On Gustavo Bou's expiring contract:

Arena: "We haven't even discussed it at this point to be honest with you."

On Paul Mariner and the team wearing black armbands to honor his memory:

Arena: "Well, I first met Paul [Mariner] in the early 1980s, when he was playing, believe it or not I think the name of the team was the Albany Capitals in the American Soccer League at the time. I watched him play and I was amazed at a person with his pedigree who came to the United States, still had an unbelievable passion for the game, and still wanted to play and I enjoyed watching Paul play in his last years of his playing career. Getting to know Paul over the years, I can't think of a more wonderful person. So enjoyable, a great sense of humor, obviously a brilliant person in terms of the game. I thought for the games, I don't recall exactly the games he broadcasted for the Revolution, but I remember watching them, the games that I coached. I thought his insight was simply outstanding. He was a great football person. I know everyone around the Revolution will miss him greatly, and he did a lot, not only for this team, but in this sport in the country to have people of his background come in and support the sport and help the sport grow. And I think it was wonderful that we could at least recognize Paul tonight, because he's a special person."

Revolution Goalkeeper Brad Knighton

On honoring Paul Mariner by wearing black armbands:

Knighton: "Yeah, I'm going to get tripped up just talking about it. Paul [Mariner] was the first coach that brought me into the Revolution back in 2007 and he really taught me kind of how to be a professional day in and day out. He brought me on under his shoulder and just showed me the life of a pro, how to come about it every single day, to train hard and work hard. We became really close friends after he was my coach and we stayed in close contact. I spoke to him probably two or three months ago, it was the last time I spoke to him, and he just said, 'I love you and keep praying for me and I'm going to stay strong.' Wearing the armband for him tonight, like you said, was just something special and hopefully I can wear it again the next time I play and honor him because he meant so much to me. He was a big part of me getting my career started and he followed me throughout my career. He is just such a good person. His family's great, his kids are great, and I just feel so bad for their family right now. But I know he's up there watching us right now, praying for us, and he's with us in spirit."

On keeping a clean sheet for the first time since May 29:

Knighton: "It was a great team performance. Like you said, we've kind of been leaking goals the last couple weeks, it's not from one way or the other, it's just unfortunate circumstances. Last week, me getting my first start in front of the home crowd and the way that started, it wasn't ideal. But to bounce back like I did and like the team did on the road in a tough environment, it was great for this team and it showed a lot of character in this team, what we're all about, and hope to continue moving that forward."

On his preparation over the past week:

Knighton: "Yeah, it meant a lot. Obviously, not playing a game for over a year, you can throw excuses wherever you want, it was just a mental mistake. Things happen in our position. You see them all over the world. They happen in the [UEFA European Championship], they happen in preseason friendlies, they happen everywhere. It's just your mindset and how you can bounce back from that. Our goalkeeping coach, Kevin Hitchcock, has done a fantastic job working with me this past week trying to get me mentally ready, kind of take that for what it was, and keep building on the foundation that I've laid here. That's what I was looking to do this week. Usually, you'd like to get back in between the sticks sooner rather than later, but we had that 10-day layoff, so it was a little bit more time to kind of think about it. But it helped me kind of reset, recharge, and go back again and have a nice week of training here leading up to the game this weekend."

On how important the victory was for the team:

Knighton: "It was going to be a tough performance for us. We knew that coming in here, it was going to be a tough environment, but we needed to roll our sleeves up and show what kind of team we're going to be this year. Like you said, the results over the last couple weeks haven't been in our favor and for one reason or another we haven't started games properly, but I thought we started tremendous today. The guys in front of me were great. We had high energy coming from the start of the game and it led right through to the 94th minute. So, a testament to the guys in front of me and they did a hell of a job. Hopefully, we can carry that through and capitalize on another three points away on Wednesday."

On Christian Mafla:

Knighton: "You said it right there, personality. Christian [Mafla's] one of the most lively, bubbly, charismatic guys in our locker room. Wherever the party is, that's where he is. But he's trained hard. He's been unfortunate a couple times this year. He's worked his way back into the team and then he's picked up a knock here and there which has kind of set him back. He's high on life and he's quite a vivacious guy. It was nice to see him step in, get some minutes, and feel comfortable in there. He's got a lot of talent, so I know he'll step in and do a great job whenever he's called on."

On Matt Turner and Tajon Buchanan facing each other in the Concacaf Gold Cup:

Knighton: "I actually just got on FaceTime with Matt, like literally two seconds ago. He called us and said, 'Congratulations.' I know he was watching the game and it's going to be a heck of a game tomorrow. We're all looking forward to it. I don't know who's cheering for who, but I think a lot of us will be cheering for the U.S. obviously. But it'll be great to see those two go at it. They go at it every single day of training and I'm looking forward to watching it tomorrow afternoon."

Revolution Midfielder Wilfrid Kaptoum

*Quotes translated from Spanish*

On re-joining the Starting XI for the first time since May 22:

Kaptoum: "First and foremost, I'm very happy that we came away with three points in my first start on the road, outside of Gillette Stadium. I feel very good. I think that's why the coach chose to start me today, to help the team continue playing well and get three points."

On playing alongside Maciel and Matt Polster in the midfield:

Kaptoum: "I felt very good because in the end, Maciel and Matt Polster are very good controlling the ball and they are good players defensively, too. So, I felt very protected alongside my teammates, with Carles [Gil] who plays very well in the middle of the field, too. I feel very good, I think, and the team does, too."

On dealing with minor injuries throughout the season and how he feels now:

Kaptoum: "It's a question of adapting to the competition. I know that I've had some problems physically, but I've left those in rearview mirror. I'm trying to keep improving and do what I need to do to help the team reach its objectives."

On the importance of today's victory after a three-game winless stretch:

Kaptoum: "The three points are always important, no? Especially after a loss. I think this gives us confidence for the next upcoming game. I think this helps us continue moving forward because the more you win the closer you are to the objective. That's how we will continue moving forward."

On what Adam Buksa brings as a target in the attack:

Kaptoum: "[Adam] Buksa is forward who is very potent physically. He gives us that aerial option that we need in the center and on corners, and in restarts. He's a very necessary player for us, both him and Gustavo [Bou]. They are players who understand one another well and are complementary each other. They both have goals, which is what we need most in order for us to win games."

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