BRADENTON, Fla. – The New England Revolution battled Swedish top-division side Malmö FF in the club’s second exhibition match at IMG Academy on Saturday afternoon, falling to the two-time defending Allsvenskan champions 1-0.
The physical contest saw several Revolution players go the full 90 minutes for the first time this preseason, including goalkeeper Brad Knighton, defender Andrew Farrell, midfielder Kelyn Rowe, and forward Teal Bunbury. Knighton came up with several key saves in the second half, the first coming in the 62nd minute when a back pass came up short, forcing him off his line to block the Malmö shot. Knighton followed that effort with another crucial stop at his near post in the 72nd minute.
Malmö claimed the lead early in the 57th minute when a Revolution giveaway near midfield led to a goal from forward Carlos Strandberg. New England created several opportunities that nearly led to an equalizer, none closer than rookie SuperDraft pick Brandon Bye’s attempt in the 81st minute. Bye chested down a pass along the right side of the box and hit a powerful strike on net, but Malmö’s goalkeeper came up with the game-saving stop.
The Revolution will conclude the Florida leg of the 2018 preseason at IMG Academy on Tuesday, Feb. 6 against USL side FC Cincinnati at 3:30 p.m. ET. New England will then briefly return to Foxborough, Mass. before traveling west to Tucson, Ariz. on Feb. 11, where the club will play four matches in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup.
Scoring Summary:
MFF – Carlos Strandberg 57'
New England Revolution (1st Half): Brad Knighton; Chris Tierney, Claude Dielna ©, Jalil Anibaba, Andrew Farrell; Scott Caldwell, Kelyn Rowe; Diego Fagundez, Cristian Penilla; Teal Bunbury, Brian Wright
New England Revolution (2nd Half): Brad Knighton; Chris Tierney (Brandon Bye 60'), Claude Dielna © (Nicolas Samayoa 60'), Jalil Anibaba, Andrew Farrell; Scott Caldwell (Zachary Herivaux 60'), Kelyn Rowe; Cristian Penilla, Diego Fagundez (Ryley Kraft 60'), Isaac Angking; Teal Bunbury (Femi Hollinger-Janzen 60')
