Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup | Third Round
New England Revolution (MLS) vs. Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
Tuesday, April 25 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
Watch: Streaming live on revolutionsoccer.net and YouTube
- English Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Clyde Simms (analyst)
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
1st in Eastern Conference (6-1-2, 20 pts.) | Major League Soccer
Last Result (MLS) | 2-1 win vs. Sporting Kansas City
Last Result (U.S. Open Cup) | Entering Competition in Third Round
The Revs stretched their unbeaten run to six (4-0-2), improved to 4-0-1 at home, and moved to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings with a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City this past weekend at Gillette Stadium. Giacomo Vrioni scored both goals – he now leads New England with three on the year – while Carles Gil and Ema Boateng were the playmakers, as the Revs were able to see out a win despite what players and coaches labeled a disappointing second-half performance.
A top-of-the-table clash with FC Cincinnati looms on Saturday night in Foxborough, but first the Revs turn their attention to the U.S. Open Cup and a meeting with Hartford Athletic on Tuesday evening. This will be the Revolution’s first competitive match against a lower division side since they suffered a 3-2 loss to Louisville City FC (USL) in the Fourth Round of the Open Cup in 2018.
Hartford Athletic
9th in Eastern Conference (1-3-2, 5 pts.)
Last Result (USL Championship) | 2-1 win at Oakland Roots SC
Last Result (U.S. Open Cup) | 3-0 win vs. Lansdowne Yonkers FC
Hartford, led by U.S. Men’s National Team legend and former Houston Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos, struggled to begin the USL Championship season with three losses and two draws through their first five games. They snapped that winless start in their last match, however, claiming a 2-1 road win over Oakland Roots SC on the back of goals from Prince Saydee and Jeciel Cedeńo.
Goalkeeper Joe Rice provides a link between Hartford and the Revs, having spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with Revolution II in USL League One. Rice joined Hartford ahead of the current campaign and was the starter in their 3-0 win over Lansdowne Yonkers FC in the Second Round of the Open Cup.
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution defender Omar Gonzalez
It’s difficult to predict exactly what the Revolution’s starting XI will look like on Tuesday night in the midst of a hectic stretch and with several players dealing with injuries, but it’s safe to assume there will be some form of rotation against Hartford. That could present the chance for a player like Omar Gonzalez, who has played just six minutes in the regular season, to step into a starting role.
Should he see action on Tuesday night, Gonzalez would provide a veteran presence on the Revolution’s backline, having made more than 400 professional appearances and with previous experience in the U.S. Open Cup.
Hartford forward Elvis Amoh
It’s fellow forward Prince Saydee who leads Hartford with four goals in six league appearances, but it was Elvis Amoh who shone for the USL Championship side in their 3-0 win over Lansdowne Yonkers FC in the previous round of the Open Cup. Amoh scored all three goals in the 3-0 win, recording just the second hat trick in Hartford Athletic history.
At 31 years old, Amoh has extensive experience across Africa, Europe, and North America, and he spent the 2022 season with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the USL Championship, registering 13 goals and three assists to help his side reach the Western Conference Final. The Ghanaian has two goals in five league appearances during his first season in Hartford.
STATUS REPORT
Revolution
New England was without 11 players for this past weekend’s 2-1 win over Sporting KC, including nine because of injury: Jozy Altidore, Gustavo Bou, Nacho Gil, Jacob Jackson, DeJuan Jones, Henry Kessler, Maciel, Tommy McNamara, and Bobby Wood.
Dylan Borrero missed that win over SKC because of suspension but will be available for selection on Tuesday, while Latif Blessing was unavailable as the team allowed him to travel to Ghana to complete required visa paperwork, which will allow his family to join him in the United States. Blessing and his family are expected to arrive in the U.S. early this week.
Hartford
Information not available.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
New England Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena
“We’re going to put a team on the field that can win the game. That’s what our focus is in the Open Cup.”
