TUCSON, Ariz. – The New England Revolution recorded their second win of preseason and the club’s first of the Mobile Mini Sun Cup in Tucson, Ariz. with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. A first-half goal from Kelyn Rowe proved to be the decisive tally for the Revs, as the defense held Sporting to a scoreless second half. The match also marked Juan Agudelo and Krisztián Németh’s preseason debuts after sustaining minor injuries a few weeks prior.
The Revolution got on the board first as the Revs’ press forced a Sporting Kansas City own goal in the 13th minute. Sporting Kansas City equalized after Gerso Fernandes earned a penalty kick after being brought down in the box, leading to Diego Rubio’s tally from the penalty spot moments later in the 21st minute. However, the Revs regained the lead prior to halftime as Diego Fagundez played a ball to Rowe just outside the 18-yard box, which the midfielder slotted into the net for his second preseason goal.
New England found numerous opportunities to extend the one-goal lead early in the second half, largely provided by Fagundez in a central role. The midfielder’s best chance came in the 52nd minute, when he took a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and struck the crossbar. Agudelo and Németh made their preseason debuts in the 59th minute and provided a late spark. Németh headed in a free kick for a potential third goal, though Video Review ruled the play offside. Cody Cropper preserved the win with an important save on Felipe Gutierrez in the 88th minute.
The Revolution will conclude play in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup against an opponent to be determined on Saturday, Feb. 24. New England will then open the regular season at the Philadelphia Union on March 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET, and will return to Gillette Stadium for the home opener vs. Colorado Rapids on March 10 at 1:30 p.m. ET
Scoring Summary:
NE – Eric Dick (Own Goal) 13'
SKC – Diego Rubio (Penalty Kick) 21'
NE – Kelyn Rowe (Diego Fagundez) 36’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Cody Cropper (Yellow Card) 20'
NE – Kelyn Rowe (Yellow Card) 43'
SKC – Kuzain (Yellow Card) 57'
NE – Scott Caldwell (Yellow Card) 83'
New England Revolution: Cody Cropper; Gabriel Somi (Chris Tierney 70’), Claude Dielna © (Jalil Anibaba 13’), Antonio Delamea, Andrew Farrell (Brandon Bye 70’); Wilfried Zahibo (Kevin Vang 86’), Scott Caldwell (Femi Hollinger-Janzen 90’); Cristian Penilla, Diego Fagundez, Kelyn Rowe (Krisztián Németh 59’); Teal Bunbury (Juan Agudelo 59’)
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Turner, Brad Knighton, Nicolas Samayoa, Mark Segbers, Brian Wright, Trevor Burns, Prince Loney-Bailey, Nicolas Firmino, Pierre Spiegel
Sporting Kansas City: Eric Dick (Adrian Zendajas 32’); Jaylin Lindsey, Emiliano Amor (Ike Opara 60’), Amer Didic (Graham Smith 32’) (Cristian Lobato 60’) (Matt Besler 60’), Seth Sinovic © (Jimmy Medranda 32’) (Graham Zusi 60’); Kuzain (Ilie Sanchez 60’), Felipe Hernandez (Felipe Gutierrez 60’), Gianluca Busio (Roger Espinoza 60’), Gerso Fernandes (Yohan Croizet 45 - HT), Daniel Salloi (Johnny Russell 45’ - HT); Diego Rubio (Kharlton Belmar 32’) (Khiry Shelton 60’)
Substitutes Not Used: Colton Storm
