HOOKSETT, N.H. (June 13, 2024) – New England Revolution II (3-7-2; 13 pts.) return home to host New York Red Bulls II (5-5-3; 20 pts.) on Friday night at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University. Friday’s match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Philip Galati calling the action on MLSNEXTPro.com.
New England enters the weekend clash with New York following a 3-1 loss to Columbus Crew 2 last Thursday. Patrick Leal was the lone scorer for New England, tallying his second goal of the season. The Newton, Mass. native capitalized off an assist in the 81st minute from U-19 Academy forward Gabriel Chavez, who registered his first helper after entering the match in the 59th minute to mark his professional debut.
Last week’s match also featured the first professional start of U-19 Academy forward Braedon Smith and 16-year-old Grant Emerhi’s debut with Revolution II as a second-half substitute. New England’s roster included 12 Academy products with Smith, Malcolm Fry, Gevork Diarbian, Eric Klein, and Damario McIntosh all earning starts, while Chavez, Emerhi, Max Weinstein, Mason Sullivan, Steban Lopera, Alex Parvu, and Robert Nichols were available off the bench. McIntosh became the 12th Revolution Academy player to sign with New England’s second team, after the defender inked his first professional contract with the club earlier this week.
Revolution II and Red Bulls II will meet for the first time this season, with New York holding the all-time series lead at a 2-1-1 record. The two rivals last met in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Semifinal, when Revolution II extended its first-ever postseason run and advanced to the Conference Final. Red Bulls II recorded a 2-1 win over Toronto FC II in their last match on June 9 to snap a four-game losing streak. Forward Mohammed Sofo scored both goals in the winning effort.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR AGAINST NEW YORK RED BULLS II:
- Revolution II and Red Bulls II battling for the first time since meeting in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Semifinal.
- Damario McIntosh playing his first match since signing with the team on June 11, 2024 to become the 12th Revolution Academy player to ink a professional contract with Revolution II. McIntosh leads all Revolution Academy products with 853 minutes played this season.
- Patrick Leal adding on to his two goals and three assists in 2024 after leading the team with four shots, two on target in last week’s match.
- Gevork Diarbian adding to his team-leading 28 shots and 13 shots on target. The Cranson, R.I. native owns two goals and three assists on the year.
- Leal, Diarbian, and Maciel continuing to appear in every match this season.
- Any Revolution Academy product making their professional debut, joining the 35 current or former MLS NEXT products to make their first professional appearances with Revolution II.
