PORTLAND, Ore. – The New England Revolution defeated the Portland Timbers, 3-1, at Providence Park in the club’s final dress rehearsal ahead of next Saturday’s regular season opener. A first-half brace from Gustavo Bou and a second-half strike from Adam Buksa secured the comeback win, bringing the Revs’ preseason to a close with a 2-2-1 mark.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner was tested early in the match, recording five saves in the opening frame, but was unable to make a second stop after a Felipe Mora shot rebounded to Diego Chara, who finished into the bottom-left corner to put the hosts ahead 1-0. New England threatened the Timbers’ end with eight first-half shots, three of them from newcomer Adam Buksa including a powerful header that was denied by the crossbar. Bou finally pulled the Revs level in the 42nd minute with a tidy first-time finish at the back post, assisted by Brandon Bye. The Argentinian attacker added his second goal, and team-leading fourth of the preseason, moments later by converting a penalty kick drawn by Buksa in first-half stoppage time.
The Revolution’s two newest Designated Players continued to connect in the second half, as Buksa tallied his second Revolution goal in the 51st minute following a clever exchange with Bou, who notched the assist with his well-timed cross. The Polish striker now owns two goals through four appearances – with three starts – this preseason. Defender Henry Kessler, the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, played all 90 minutes alongside Andrew Farrell, as both defenders made their fifth appearance and fourth start.
Earlier on Saturday, several Revolution players competed in a 45-minute scrimmage against the University of Portland men’s soccer team on the school’s campus. Left back Alexander Büttner saw his first action of the preseason, playing all 45 minutes, while Revolution Academy signing Damian Rivera tallied the third goal of his rookie camp. Homegrown Players Isaac Angking, Nicolas Firmino, and Justin Rennicks also played in the scrimmage against the Portland Pilots.
The Revolution will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 29 to open the club’s 25th Major League Soccer campaign north of the border against the Montreal Impact (3:00 p.m. ET – NBC Sports Boston). New England will then return to Foxborough for the 2020 home opener at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 7 vs. Chicago Fire FC (1:30 p.m. ET– NBC Sports Boston).
New England Revolution 3, Portland Timbers 1
February 22, 2020 – Portland, Ore.
Scoring Summary:
POR – Diego Chara (Unassisted) 29'
NE – Gustavo Bou (Brandon Bye) 42'
NE – Gustavo Bou (Penalty Kick) 45+3'
NE – Adam Buksa (Gustavo Bou) 51'
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Brandon Bye (Yellow Card) 25'
NE – Henry Kessler (Yellow Card) 75'
New England Revolution: Matt Turner; DeJuan Jones, Henry Kessler, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye; Kelyn Rowe (Diego Fagundez HT), Scott Caldwell, Teal Bunbury (Justin Rennicks 83'); Cristian Penilla (Tajon Buchanan 83'), Adam Buksa, Gustavo Bou ©
Portland Timbers: Steve Clark; Jorge Moreira, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Jorge Villafaña, Cristhian Paredes (Jeremy Ebobisse 66'), Diego Chara, Yimmi Chara (Andy Polo 66'), Diego Valeri © (Dairon Asprilla 78'), Sebastián Blanco, Felipe Mora (Eryk Williamson 87')
