FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Eager for their first win of the season and with a string of road games ahead, New England Revolution captain Carles Gil stepped into the spotlight and led his side to victory when they needed it most.
Scoring both New England goals via stunning first-half free kick and 97th-minute penalty, Gil’s deadly left foot secured the much-needed 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
“That’s what you need from your top player,” head coach Caleb Porter said of Gil’s match-winning performance. “He got in great spots today and he was goal dangerous. That’s the key. He can score goals and he’s got quality.”
Young left back Peyton Miller, who made his season debut on Saturday after recovering from a groin injury, said Gil’s guidance on the pitch never waivers. “Great leadership,” he said. “He was talking the whole game, and he kept us going the whole game.”
Gil’s charge in securing Saturday’s result wasn’t limited to the pitch, either. The club captain organized a team dinner two days before the match, explaining that winning teams aren’t just made on the field.
“Sometimes it’s important, outside the pitch, to have some time together. We had a very good dinner,” he said on Friday. “Everything we do is to try to be a better team and try to win the next game.”
Gil’s first goal of the season – and the Revolution’s first of the match – was an absolute stunner, a 28th-minute free kick drilled into the upper corner from distance.
“I want to be better on set pieces,” he explained. “I think I produce a lot on penalties, and I want to do the same on free kicks. I practice in training, and I try to put the ball the other way, not into the wall and yeah, it was a good goal.”
The Revs produced their best attacking performance of the season on Saturday, and with 13 total shots (six on target), they put more shots on frame against the Red Bulls than they had in the previous four games combined.
New England’s defense was also on display Saturday as goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič kept the hosts in the game with three key saves, including a massive stop on Mohammed Sofo in the 73rd minute when the score was still 1-1.
While the team recognizes that this was only one result, vibes were high as music blared in the Revolution locker room after the final whistle. “We’re not out of the woods yet. It’s a win. It’s great. The players’ confidence can bubble up a little bit and they leave with a good feeling,” said Porter. “Yet, we have to go and get a result the next game, too.”
The Revolution now hit the road for two consecutive games in Cincinnati and Atlanta, followed by one game at Gillette Stadium in mid-April to break up a stretch that will see them play five of their next six games away from home.
