ATLANTA (May 31, 2023) – The New England Revolution (7-3-5; 26 pts.) fought back from a late deficit to draw Atlanta United FC (6-4-6, 24 pts.), 3-3, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday night. Revolution captain Carles Gil opened the scoring with the second-fastest goal in club history 21 seconds into the match, before forward Bobby Wood doubled the lead in the 37th minute. Atlanta scored three goals in the second half before Gil tallied again in second-half stoppage time to secure the point away from home. 

Gil put the Revolution on the front foot when he scored the quickest goal in MLS this season, capitalizing on an Atlanta turnover deep in its own defensive half. New England then doubled its advantage in the 37th minute as Wood scored his fifth goal of the year, and his second in as many games. Emmanuel Boateng, making his seventh consecutive start, delivered a pinpoint cross from the left side on the goal for his third helper of the campaign. DeJuan Jones also earned a secondary assist on the play. 

Atlanta put New England under pressure for long stretches of play and finally broke through for a goal in 56th minute through Giorgos Giakoumakis. The hosts then equalized in the 74th minute as Thiago Almada’s shot took a deflection on its way into the net. Atlanta pulled ahead on a Miguel Berry strike from distance in the 87th minute. 

With the Revolution on the verge of defeat, Gil brought New England level with his second goal of the game three minutes into added time. The Spaniard’s second career MLS brace gives him five tallies on the year, tied with Wood for the team lead, and 26 for his MLS career.

New England started the match with an adjusted backline that saw Omar Gonzalez slot in at center back for his first start of the MLS season. Andrew Farrell shifted to right back for first start on the outside since June 26, 2019. 

The Revolution move to 3-3-2 on the road in 2023 as they turn their focus to another test away from home on Saturday, June 3 at New York City FC. The Eastern Conference rivals will kick off MLS Matchday 17 action from Yankee Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET. Watch free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub, with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action, and 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese.

Team Notes

• New England extended its unbeaten streak against Atlanta to five games (3-0-2) with Wednesday’s 3-3 draw.
• New England are unbeaten in their last 13 regular season games when leading at the half, and its last 11 matches when scoring the first goal. 
• The Revolution tallied an equalizer after the 80th minute for a second straight match.

Individual Notes

• Carles Gil notched his fourth and fifth goals of the campaign, his second multi-goal game in MLS and first since March 17, 2019.
• Gil’s first goal came in the opening minute, capitalizing off a misplay by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The ball crossed the goal line at 21 seconds, the fastest goal in MLS this season and the second-fastest goal in club history behind Jose Cancela’s goal at 19 seconds in 2005. 
• Gil, who now leads the Revolution with 10 goal contributions in 2023, has recorded three goals and three assists in seven career games against Atlanta. 
• Gil is now the third player in MLS history to score goals in the 1st minute and the 90th minute or later of a match. 
• Bobby Wood registered his fifth goal of 2023, tied with Carles Gil for the team lead, finishing off a cross from Emmanuel Boateng between two defenders. 
• Emmanuel Boateng, starting a seventh straight match, tallied his third assist of the campaign on Wood’s goal – the 10th helper of his Revolution career. Boateng had a team-high two chances created on the night.
• DeJuan Jones added a secondary assist on Wood’s strike, his fourth of the season.
• Justin Rennicks came on as a halftime substitute, winning all seven of his duels – a team high on the night. The Homegrown Player has appeared in 11 league games this season.
• Omar Gonzalez earned his first start of the regular season, winning three tackles and four duels in a 90-minute shift.
• Andrew Farrell made his first start at right back since July 26, 2019, finishing the night with eight recoveries, three clearances, and two interceptions. 

GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 3, Atlanta United 3
May 31, 2023 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)

Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson (AR1), Eduardo Jeff (AR2)
Fourth Official: Segii Demianchuk
Video Assistant Referee: Younes Marrakchi
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tom Supple
Weather: Indoors (Roof Closed)
Attendance: 42,915

Scoring Summary: 
NE – Carles Gil 4 (Unassisted) 1’
NE – Bobby Wood 5 (Emmanuel Boateng 3, DeJuan Jones 4) 37’
ATL – Giorgos Giakoumakis 9 (Unassisted) 57’
ATL – Thiago Almada 6 (Matheus Rossetto 1) 74’
ATL – Miguel Berry 1 (Unassisted) 87’
NE – Carles Gil 5 (Unassisted) 90’+3

Misconduct Summary: 
NE – Omar Gonzalez (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 22’
NE – Noel Buck (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 52’
ATL – Franco Ibarra (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 55’
ATL – Giorgos Giakoumakis (Yellow Card – Persistent Infringement) 81’
ATL – Brad Guzan (Yellow Card – Time Wasting) 83’
ATL – Andrew Gutman (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 90’+2

New England Revolution: Djordje Petrović; DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Omar Gonzalez, Andrew Farrell; Matt Polster (Giacomo Vrioni 91’), Noel Buck; Emmanuel Boateng (Christian Makoun 73’), Carles Gil ©, Latif Blessing (Justin Rennicks 45’); Bobby Wood (Jozy Altidore 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Ben Sweat, Gustavo Bou, Jack Panayotou, Esmir Bajraktarević

Atlanta United FC: Brad Guzan ©; Brooks Lennon, Miles Robinson, Juan Purata, Andrew Gutman; Matheus Rossetto (Machop Chol 84’), Franco Ibarra; Luiz Araújo (Santiago Sosa 90’+3), Thiago Almada, Derrick Etienne Jr. (Tyler Wolff 61’); Giorgos Giakoumakis (Miguel Berry 84’)

Substitutes Not Used: Quentin Westberg, Luis Abram, Noah Cobb, Jay Fortune, Ronald Hernandez

Full statistics available HERE.