ST. PAUL, Minn. (September 9, 2023) – The New England Revolution (13-5-9; 48 pts. – 2nd in East) played to a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United FC (9-8-10; 37 pts. – 7th in West) on Saturday night at Allianz Field. Carles Gil scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season in the first half, assisted by his brother Nacho Gil. Minnesota equalized at the death to force the draw, with Franco Fragapane slotting home a goal in the final moments of stoppage time.
New England got on the board in the 38th minute when Carles Gil tallied his team-leading eighth goal of the regular season, firing a right-footed rocket off a low cross from younger brother Nacho, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday with the assist. For the fourth time in as many full MLS seasons, Carles Gil has reached 20 combined goals (8) and assists (12) in a season. His 20 goal contributions are now tied for fifth most in MLS this season.
For Nacho Gil, it was his second straight game with an assist in his third consecutive MLS start. Matt Polster earned a secondary assist, his second of the campaign, in his return to the lineup at right back after missing last Saturday’s match for the birth of his second child. Polster will sit out next week’s match at Colorado due to yellow card accumulation.
With the Revolution ahead in the first half, Tomás Chancalay nearly doubled the lead with a stinging shot that rattled the cross bar. Chancalay started his third straight match and finished the night with two shots and a team-high eight duels won. Earl Edwards Jr. started for a fourth straight game, finishing the night with five saves.
New England will head back on the road next weekend against Western Conference foe and fellow original MLS side Colorado Rapids (3-13-10; 19 pts. – 14th in West). Saturday’s 9:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) or 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese.
MATCH NOTES
- The Revolution move to 3-1-2 against Western Conference opponents this season, with their last of six inter-conference matchups next weekend at Colorado.
- The Revolution are unbeaten in their last 19 MLS matches when leading at half-time (16-0-3), including an 8-0-3 mark this season.
- Nacho Gil celebrated his 28th birthday by making his third straight start and earning his second assist of the season on Carles Gil’s eighth goal of the year.
- Carles Gil now leads his team with eight goals in the 2023 regular season and is also the team leader with 12 assists.
- Dave Romney continued playing every minute for New England this season with another 90-minute outing, recording seven clearances. His 129 total clearances this season rank third in MLS, one shy of the league lead.
- Earl Edwards Jr. made five saves in his fifth start of the season.
- Matt Polster started at right back and played the full 90 minutes, notching a secondary assist on Carles Gil’s goal.
- Entering the match in the 74th minute, Tommy McNamara surpassed 13,000 career minutes played in MLS.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 1, Minnesota United FC 1
September 9, 2023 – Allianz Field (St. Paul, Minn.)
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistant Referees: Michael Barwegen (AR1), Walt Heatherly (AR2)
Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder
Video Assistant Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jeff Muschik
Weather: 70 degrees and cloudy
Attendance: 19,412
Scoring Summary:
NE – Carles Gil 8 (Nacho Gil 2, Matt Polster 2) 38’
MIN – Franci Fragapane 1 (Dayne St. Clair 1) 90+3’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – DeJuan Jones (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 14’
NE – Omar Gonzalez (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 25’
NE – Earl Edwards Jr. (Yellow Card – Time Wasting) 74’
NE – Matt Polster (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 75’
New England Revolution: Earl Edwards Jr; DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Polster; Ian Harkes (Thomas McNamara 74’) , Mark-Anthony Kaye (Ryan Spaulding 67’); Tomás Chancalay (Ben Sweat 87’), Carles Gil ©, Nacho Gil (Esmir Bajraktarević 67’); Giacomo Vrioni (Bobby Wood 74’).
Substitutes Not Used: Jacob Jackson, Emmanuel Boateng, Jack Panayotou, Justin Rennicks.
Minnesota United FC: Dayne St. Clair; Ethan Bristow (Devin Padelford 87’), Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; Jan Gregus, Will Trapp (Ismael Tajouri-Shradi 62’); Hassani Dotson, Emanuel Reynoso, Bongokuhle, Hlongwane; Mender Garcia (Franco Fragapane 61’).
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Dick, Clint Irwin, Bakaye Dibassy, Emmanuel Iwe, Zarek Valentin.
