MLS NEXT Pro New England Revolution II

Revolution II Battle Toronto FC II to a 1-1 Draw

April 19, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
New England Revolution II News Release


TORONTO - New England Revolution II (1-3-1; 5 pts.) battled Toronto FC II (1-2-1; 4 pts.) to a 1-1 draw on Friday night at York Lions Stadium, securing the additional point with a 5-4 shootout victory. Forward Marcos Dias tallied his second goal of the season to match Revolution II's all-time scoring record of 17 while goalkeeper JD Gunn made four saves in his professional debut.

Toronto found the scoresheet early with Julian Altobelli tallying in the seventh minute. New England registered two shots on net in the opening 45 minutes and found the equalizer in first-half stoppage time. Maciel sent the ball up the right side of the field where Alex Monis chipped it past Toronto's goalkeeper. Dias received Monis' pass and sailed the ball into the back of the net from the top of the 18-yard box to send both teams into the locker room level at 1-1.

The match remained level through the second half, sending both teams into their first shootout of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Dias, Joshua Bolma, Victor Souza, Luka Borovic, and Alex Parvu all converted on their attempts, while Gunn made one save and forced two misses to secure Revolution II their first shootout victory of the year.

Parvu entered the match off the bench in the 81st minute to become the 32nd Revolution Academy product to make his professional debut with New England's second team. The Cumberland, R.I. native substituted in for fellow Academy defender Eric Klein, who made his first professional start on Friday night.

Revolution II is set to host Inter Miami II on Sunday, April 28 to mark the team's home opener at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium in Manchester, N.H. The 3 p.m. ET kickoff streams live on MLSNEXTPro.com, with James Hadnot on the call.

New England Revolution II 1 (5), Toronto FC II 1 (4)

April 19, 2024 - York Lions Stadium (Toronto, Ontario)

Marcos Dias tallied his second goal of the season to equalize in first-half stoppage time. Dias now owns 17 goals scored for Revolution II, matching the program's all-time scoring record.

Alex Monis recorded his first assist of the season on Dias' goal.

New England improved their record vs. Toronto to 4-3-4 dating back to the 2021 USL League One season.

Dias, Joshua Bolma, Victor Souza, Luka Borovic, and Alex Parvu all tallied in the shootout.

JD Gunn made four saves in his professional debut with Revolution II, adding on an additional save in the shootout.

U-19 Revolution Academy defender Eric Klein logged 81 minutes in his first professional start.

Alex Parvu entered the match in the 81st minute to mark his professional debut.

Tonight's roster featured nine Revolution Academy products with Klein, Gevork Diarbian, and Jack Panayotou earning starts and Brandonn Bueno, Olger Escobar, Steban Lopera, Alex Parvu, Colby Quiñones, and Max Weinstein appearing on the bench.

GAME CAPSULE

Referee: Robert D'Alesio

Assistant Referees: Peter Pendli, Camille Raymond

Fourth Official: Melvin Christopher

Weather: 51 and sunny

Scoring Summary:

TOR - Julian Altobelli (Jesus Batiz) 7'

NE - Marcos Dias 2 (Alex Monis 1) 45'+1

Misconduct Summary:

TOR - Charlie Staniland (Yellow Card) 2'

NE - Hesron Barry (Yellow Card) 24'

TOR - Nathaniel Edwards (Yellow Card) 39'

New England Revolution II: JD Gunn; Hesron Barry, Tiago Suarez, Victor Souza, Eric Klein (Alex Parvu 81'); Maciel, Patrick Leal (Luka Borovic 74'); Gevork Diarbian (Joshua Bolma 66'), Jack Panayotou, Alex Monis (Olger Escobar 74'); Marcos Dias.

Substitutes Not Used: Andrej Bjelajac, Brandonn Bueno, Steban Lopera, Colby Quiñones, Max Weinstein.

Toronto FC II: Adisa De Rosario; Adam Pearlman, Ythallo Rodrigues De Olivera, Marko Stojadinovic; Jesus Batiz (Antony Curic 84'), Markus Cimermancic, Charlie Staniland (Lucas Olguin 63'), Nathaniel Edwards (Theo Rigopoulos 63'); Julian Altobelli (Hassan Ayari 68'), Dekwon Barrow (Matthew Catalovo 84'), Mark Fisher.

Substitutes Not Used: Lazar Stefanovic, Tristan Pusztahegyi, Philip Igbinobaro, Shafique Wilson.

Toronto FC II Team Statistics New England Revolution II

11 (5) Shots (on Target) 7 (2)

2 Blocked Shots 1

1 Saves 4

7 Corner Kicks 3

4 Offsides 3

14 Fouls 17

351 (81.2%) Passes Attempted (% Completed) 545 (88.8%)

POSTGAME QUOTES: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION II 1 (5), TORONTO FC II 1 (4)

Revolution II Goalkeeper JD Gunn

On how it feels to make his professional debut:

Gunn: "Well first of all, all honor and glory to God, without him I wouldn't be here. So yeah, first and foremost, all glory goes to him. But, I put in a lot of work to get to this point, super excited to make my debut. Great club. I love the coaching staff, love all the guys, couldn't do it without the rest of the team. So yeah, just super excited."

On his assessment of the match:

Gunn: "I felt like we played really well. Toronto had their chances, but I think for the most part, we defended really well. Aside from the goal in the first half, I didn't really feel any pressure in terms of their chances. So, I'll credit again to the guys in front of me for defending really, really well. And then obviously, to come from behind, get a goal, and then win in pens, it's always good to see that fight."

On his mindset during a penalty kick shootout:

Gunn: "I love pens. It's like my favorite thing ever. You can ask the guys when we do pens in training, very talkative, trying to get in people's heads and everything, so I love the pressure. I love those moments and to be able to be there for my team and make a save and then force two misses, it's always good to see the ball stay out of my net."

On how the team can use this momentum heading into next week's match vs. Inter Miami II:

Gunn: "I mean, three road games in a row, so good to end it on a high note with two points here in Toronto. So, I know we're going to come out strong in our next match, and I know the group of guys is going to fight and regardless of what the game is, home or away. So, we're going to take this momentum into the next match next weekend and we're going to crush it."

Check out the New England Revolution II Statistics



MLS NEXT Pro Stories from April 19, 2024


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