CHESTER, Penn. (March 24, 2024) – New England Revolution II (0-1-0; 0 pts.) fell to Philadelphia Union II (2-0-0; 6 pts.), 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Subaru Park. Several newcomers and Academy products made their professional debuts in the team’s season opener, highlighted by forward Alex Monis netting the club’s first goal of the season. Goalkeeper Max Weinstein led New England on the defensive end with a five-save performance.
Sunday’s match saw the Revolution II debuts of Monis, Hesron Barry, Andrej Bjelajac, and Collin Smith, who all earned starts alongside Revolution Academy’s Cristiano Oliveira (2008 – Somerville, Mass.) and Damario McIntosh (2007 – Newark, Calif.). The 15-year-old midfielder and 16-year-old defender became the 30th and 31st MLS NEXT players to make their professional debuts with New England’s second team. Oliveira posted a 57-minute appearances, while McIntosh logged the full 90. Revolution II saw another team debut in the second half with Gevork Diarbian entering in the 57th minute. The Cranston, R.I. native recorded two shots, one on target.
New England found the scoresheet first with Monis capitalizing off a cross into the box from Marcos Dias to tally the first Revolution II goal of 2024 in the ninth minute. The 21-year-old forward led New England with three shots, one on target, in the contest. Philadelphia clawed back in the 33rd minute with a cross causing a Revolution II own goal, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1. Union II netted the game-winner in the 81st minute off the foot of Sal Olivas.
Revolution II returns to action next Sunday, March 31 to take on Carolina Core FC for the team’s home opener at Gillette Stadium. The 3 p.m. ET match streams live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
New England Revolution II 1, Philadelphia Union II 2
March 24, 2024 – Subaru Park (Chester, Penn.)
- The Revolution Academy’s Cristiano Oliveira and Damario McIntosh each earned their first professional starts, becoming the 30th and 31st Academy products to make their professional debuts with New England’s second team.
- Alex Monis tallied his first goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season in the ninth minute of his Revolution II debut. The 21-year-old forward netted four goals in New England’s five preseason matches and led his team with three shots, one on target in today’s match.
- Alongside Monis, Collin Smith, Hesron Barry, and Andrej Bjelajac all started to collect their Revolution II debuts.
- Marcos Dias earned his first assist of the year on Monis’ game-opener.
- Cranston, R.I. native, Gevork Diarbian, entered the match in the 57th minute to mark his club debut.
- Goalkeeper Max Weinstein made five saves in his first start of 2024.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Olvin Oliva
Assistant Referees: A. Max Smith, Andrew Charron
Fourth Official: Adam Mitchell
Weather: 48 degrees and sunny
Scoring Summary:
NE – Alex Monis 1 (Marcos Dias 1) 9’
PHI – Hesron Barry (OG) 33’
PHI – Sal Olivas 1 (Cavan Sullivan 1) 81’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Victor Souza (Yellow Card – Hand Ball) 90’+1
New England Revolution II: Max Weinstein; Collin Smith, Hesron Barry (Eric Klein 75’), Victor Souza, Damario McIntosh; Maciel; Cristiano Oliveira (Gevork Diarbian 57’), Marcos Dias (Joshua Bolma 67’), Patrick Leal, Alex Monis (Olger Escobar 67’); Andrej Bjelajac (Malcolm Fry 57’).
Substitutes Not Used: JD Gunn, Brandonn Bueno, Colby Quiñones.
Philadelphia Union II: Michael Sheridan; Francis Westfield, Gavin Wetzel, Randy Meneses-Garcia, Jamir Berdecio; Giovanny Sequera (Kellan LeBlanc 71’), Alex Perez (Cavan Sullivan 56’), Nick Pariano, Kyle Tucker; Sal Olivas (Jamir Johnson 90’+6), Edward Davis (Diego Rocio 71’).
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Zellefrow, Gavin Atkinson, Anisse Saidi.
