COCLE PROVINCE, Panama (February 21, 2024) – The New England Revolution defeated CA Independiente, 1-0, on Wednesday night in the first leg of Round One of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup at Estadio Universitario F.C. Tomás Chancalay netted the game-winning goal in the early stages of the second half, converting on Giacomo Vrioni’s assist. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Henrich Ravas highlighted his Revolution debut with a shutout performance. The Revolution will carry the one-goal advantage to Leg 2 of the Round One series next Thursday, Feb. 29 (8:15 p.m. ET on FS2, TUDN) at Gillette Stadium.
Chancalay carried New England’s attack in tonight’s victory with a team-high six shots, including two on target. After battling through a scoreless first half, New England took the lead in the 55th minute as Nacho Gil sailed the ball from midfield toward the top of the box, where Vrioni sent a header toward Chancalay. The Argentine winger found the back of the net with a right-footed shot to give New England a 1-0 advantage.
In defense, outside back Nick Lima helped guide New England’s backline in the shutout effort with a full 90-minute outing in the veteran’s Revolution debut. Dave Romney, who registered his seventh Concacaf Champions Cup appearance, led the Revolution in central defense, alongside Andrew Farrell. A pair of Homegrown Players registered their debuts in the continental tournament in midfielders Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarević, who both appeared off the bench.
New England will open its 2024 Major League Soccer regular season schedule on Saturday, Feb. 24 at D.C. United. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Audi Field is available to watch FREE on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (WBZ-FM), with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies on the call, and 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA” in Portuguese.
TEAM NOTES
- Wednesday’s match marked the first time New England faced an opponent from Panama. With the victory, New England owns a 1-0 advantage on aggregate ahead of next Thursday’s second leg fixture at Gillette Stadium.
- New England improves to 3-5-1 all-time in Concacaf Champions Cup play, including a 2-2-1 mark against Central American opponents.
- The result was New England’s second victory away from home in Concacaf Champions Cup play, last doing so on March 26, 2003 at LD Alajuelense.
- The Revolution notched a clean sheet for the third time in Concacaf Champions Cup play. New England previously kept clean sheets in 2022 against UNAM Pumas and 2006 against LD Alajuelense.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Caleb Porter was victorious in his competitive debut for New England, improving his all-time record in Concacaf Champions Cup to 8-3-2.
- Tomás Chancalay tallied the opening goal of the campaign for New England to put New England ahead in the second half. The Argentine finished with a game-high five shots, with two on target.
- Giacomo Vrioni notched his first assist in Concacaf Champions Cup play. The Albanian tallied three shots on the night in his first start of the season.
- Carles Gil had a team-high five key passes, as well as four shots, with two on target.
- Henrich Ravas made his Revolution debut, notching two saves and keeping his first clean sheet with the club.
- Homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević played 27 minutes off the bench, registering a shot on target and two key passes.
- Eight players made their Concacaf Champions Cup debut for New England – starters Chancalay, Nacho Gil, Ravas, and Vrioni along with substitutes Esmir Bajraktarević and Noel Buck, Ian Harkes, and Bobby Wood.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 1, CA Independiente 0
February 21, 2024 – Estadio Universitario FC (Penonomé, Cocle, Panama)
Referee: Walter Lopez (GUA)
Assistant Referee: Keytzel Corrales (NCA)
Assistant Referee: Raymundo Feliz (DOM)
Fourth Official: Mario Escobar (GUA)
Video Assistant Referee: Oscar Macias (MEX)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Pacheco (MEX)
Weather: 80 degrees and partly cloudy
Scoring Summary:
NE – Tomás Chancalay 1 (Giacomo Vrioni 1) 54’
Misconduct Summary:
CAI – Luis Fields (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 12’
NE – Giacomo Vrioni (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 28’
CAI – Javier De La Espada (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 48’
CAI – Jefferson Murrillo (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 51’
New England Revolution: Henrich Ravas; DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Andrew Farrell, Nick Lima; Mark-Anthony Kaye (Noel Buck 63’), Matt Polster; Tomás Chancalay (Emmanuel Boateng 76’), Carles Gil © (Ian Harkes 90’), Nacho Gil (Esmir Bajraktarević 63’); Giacomo Vrioni (Bobby Wood 76’)
Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Jacob Jackson, Tommy McNamara, Jonathan Mensah, Jack Panayotou, Ryan Spaulding, Tiago Suarez
CA Independiente: Eddie Roberts; Aimar Modelo, Azmahar Ariano, Sergio Ramirez ©, Orman Davis; Victor Avila (Jamel Gonzalez 63’), Hector Hurtado, Luis Fields (Javier De La Espada 46’); Ronaldo Dinolis (Daniel Moran 70’), Davis Contreras, Jefferson Murrillo (Justin Simons 63’)
Substitutes Not Used: Miguel Sanchez, Rey Navarro, Julio Narvaez, Guido Rouse
