FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (August 3, 2023) – The New England Revolution earned a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against LIGA MX side Atlas Fútbol Club on Thursday, advancing to the Leagues Cup 2023 Round of 16 with a victory in the penalty shootout, 8-7. Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. earned his fourth start of the season across all competitions, making six saves, while Gustavo Bou recorded a brace to propel New England’s comeback.
New England began the match on the back foot, with Atlas striking twice in the opening 11 minutes. Atlas midfielder Mateo García hit a curling effort from outside the penalty area in the eighth minute, before forward Jordy Caicedo capitalized on a failed clearance to beat Edwards to put the visitors ahead, 2-0.
Gustavo Bou cut into the deficit at the half-hour mark, finishing off a low cross from Carles Gil at the back post. New England had a chance to equalize as the first half expired, but Brandon Bye’s rocket hit the cross bar. Bou evened the score in the 79th minute, blasting home a loose ball on a rebound after his penalty kick initially denied by Atlas goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
New England continued to knock on the door in the late stages. Bou had a chance for a hat trick, but DeJuan Jones’ low cross to the center of the box was blocked away by Atlas defender Jose Abella. The match was then decided by a shootout from the penalty spot, where New England converted all eight of its attempts to win the shootout and advance to the Round of 16.
The New England Revolution will face a third consecutive LIGA MX opponent, Querétaro FC, at Gillette Stadium on Monday, August 7 in the Leagues Cup 2023 Round of 16. The kickoff time for the knockout stage meeting will be announced after the Round of 32 is complete. Watch every Leagues Cup match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Thursday’s match was the 1,000th competitive fixture in Revolution history.
- With the victory, New England improves to 9-2-2 all-time against LIGA MX opponents, including a 9-1-2 mark at Gillette Stadium.
- New England’s record moves to 1-0-1 in the all-time series with Atlas FC.
- The Revolution improved to 11-1-4 at Gillette Stadium across all competitions this season.
- Brandon Bye made his 150th start for New England across all competitions, playing 49 minutes before exiting the match with a leg injury.
- Gustavo Bou tallied a brace, netting his first goal in the 30th minute and equalizing in the 79th minute. He led the team with five shots, three on target.
- Earl Edwards Jr. made six saves on eight shots in his first start since June 17 and fourth start across all competitions this season.
- Nacho Gil made his second appearance of the season, replacing brother Carles Gil in the 73rd minute.
- DeJuan Jones had a team-high four key passes on the night.
- Giacomo Vrioni, Matt Polster, DeJuan Jones, Nacho Gil, Gustavo Bou, Ema Boateng, Ian Harkes, and Andrew Farrell all scored during the penalty kick shootout to secure New England’s place in the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
GAME CAPSULE
Leagues Cup 2023 – Round of 32
New England Revolution 2 (8), Atlas Fútbol Club 2 (7)
August 3, 2023 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Referee: Fernando Guerrero Ramirez
Assistant Referees: Michel Ricardo Espinoza Avalos (AR1), Leonardo Javier Castillo Rodriguez (AR2)
Fourth Official: Jesus Rafael Lopez Valle
Video Assistant Referee: Diego Montaño Robles
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Barton
Weather: 71 degrees and mostly cloudy
Attendance: 9,299
Scoring Summary:
ATS – Mateo Garcia 1 (Jaziel Martinez 1) 8’
ATS – Jordy Caicedo 2 (Unassisted) 11’
NE – Gustavo Bou 2 (Unassisted) 30’
NE – Gustavo Bou 3 (Unassisted) 79’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Carles Gil (Yellow Card – Dissent) 34’
ATS – Anderson Santamaria (Yellow Card – Foul) 56’
NE – Mark-Anthony Kaye (Yellow Card – Foul) 61’
ATS – Jaziel Martinez (Yellow Card – Foul) 63’
ATS – Anderson Santamaria (Red Card – Dissent) 90’+8
New England Revolution: Earl Edwards Jr.; DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye (Ryan Spaulding 49’); Matt Polster, Mark-Anthony Kaye (Ian Harkes 69’), Noel Buck (Emmanuel Boateng 69’), Carles Gil © (Nacho Gil 73’); Gustavo Bou, Giacomo Vrioni.
Substitutes Not Used: Jacob Jackson, Max Weinstein, Esmir Bajraktarević, Omar Gonzalez, Tommy McNamara, Justin Rennicks, Damian Rivera, Ben Sweat.
Atlas FC: Camilo Vargas; José Abella, Martín Nervo, Anderson Santamaría, Luis Reyes; Jaziel Martínez (Juanma Zapata 69’), Aldo Rocha ©, Mateo García (Mauro Manotas 82’); Eduardo Aguirre (Brian Lozano 54’), Jorge Guzmán (Brayan Trejo 69’), Jordy Caicedo.
Substitutes Not Used: José Hernández, Edson Arce, Gaddi Aguirre, Idekel Domínguez, Rivaldo Lozano, Victor Rios, Carlos Robles, Édgar Zaldívar.
Full statistics available HERE.
