THE BASICS
New England Revolution at New York City FC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup | Round of 16
Wednesday, May 25 | 7:30 p.m.
Belson Stadium | Jamaica, N.Y.
Predicted Weather: Partly cloudy | High 66 | Low 56
HOW TO TUNE IN
WATCH
TV: ESPN+ (watch HERE)
RECENT FORM VS. NEW YORK CITY FC
This will be the first meeting between the Revolution and NYCFC since last year's playoff showdown in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a match that finished 2-2 but ultimately saw NYCFC advance on penalties en route to an eventual MLS Cup title. It was a disappointing turn of fortune for the Revs, who had beaten NYCFC in two of their three regular season meetings en route to a Supporters' Shield title. These sides have yet to meet in the U.S. Open Cup, although the Revs have played at Wednesday night's venue, Belson Stadium, claiming a 3-2 win over the New York Cosmos in the Open Cup Fifth Round back in 2016.
The defending MLS Cup champs reached the Round of 16 with a 3-1 win over Rochester New York FC (MLS NEXT Pro), riding goals from Thiago Andrade, Héber, and Maxime Chanot to the victory. That's part of a 7-0-1 run in NYCFC's last eight games in all competitions, as they've stormed to second place in the Eastern Conference standings since a slow start to the league campaign. Stellar on both sides of the ball during their current run, NYCFC have outscored opponents 22-5 and have conceded just once in their last six games in all competitions.
Recent weeks have also seen a resurgence for the Revs, now 4-1-2 in their last seven games in all competitions following this past Saturday's 3-2 road win over FC Cincinnati. New England's attack has been firing on all cylinders during that stretch, scoring multiple goals in eight straight games in all competitions and highlighted by Adam Buksa's remarkable run of nine goals in the past seven games. Two of those goals came in the Revs' 5-1 win over Cincinnati in the Open Cup Round of 32, a game in which captain Carles Gil registered the first hat trick of his professional career.
A spot in the Open Cup Quarterfinals is on the line on Wednesday night, with the Revs aiming to reach that stage of the competition for the first time since 2017.
Overall Record vs. New York City FC: 9-6-5
Away Record vs. New York City FC: 4-4-2
Last meeting at Gillette Stadium: NYCFC 2 (5), Revs 2 (3) (November 30, 2021 | MLS Cup Playoffs)
Last meeting at Yankee Stadium: NYCFC 2, Revs 0 (August 28, 2021)
RELATED NEWS
READ: Preview | Supporters' Shield champs, MLS Cup champs to clash in Open Cup Round of 16
WATCH: Bell on NYCFC matchup | "Any time we play that team it's always an interesting game"
WATCH: Spaulding on Open Cup mentality | "You really have to be in it from minute one"
WATCH: Bajraktarević on continued development | "I'm learning something new every day"
WATCH: Highlights | Esmir Bajraktarević rises from Academy, to Revs II, to first team
READ: Revs sign 17-year-old midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević as Homegrown Player
WATCH: 1-on-1 with Dylan Borrero | "I think my joy can be contagious for the team"
READ: MLS Team of the Week | Bye's trio of assists earns leaguewide honors for Week 13
WATCH: Highlights | Revs score trio of stunning goals to down FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium
READ: Recap | McNamara's late winner in Cincinnati lifts Revs to first road victory of 2022
SHOW YOUR COLORS
The Revs will be sporting their new primary kit, “The Liberty.” The bespoke pattern is inspired by Boston’s Freedom Trail, a walking trail through the heart of Boston which passes 16 historical sites from the American Revolution – which gives a nod to the club name. This sleek new look will be paired with blue shorts, conveying a defiant, bold and strong look.
The club is reverting to blue shorts for the first time since 2013 to complement “The Liberty”. This is to convey a bold and strong one-color look, in-keeping with the New England’s defiant spirit while also enabling the new logo the chance to shine in its first time on a kit.
