FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (March 18, 2023) – The New England Revolution (3-1-0, 9 pts.) defeated Nashville SC (2-1-1, 7 pts.), 1-0, on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. Gustavo Bou scored his first goal of the season to secure the victory, assisted by DeJuan Jones, as Djordje Petrović recorded three saves to give New England its third win and third shutout through the first four games of the 2023 season.
New England’s three shutouts, tied for the most in MLS through Matchday 4, are the team’s most after four games in any season. Nine points marks the club’s second-best start through four matches. With the shutout, Petrović becomes the fifth MLS goalkeeper to record 10 clean sheets through his first 25 league starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Bou broke the stalemate in the 52nd minute, collecting a through ball from DeJuan Jones and blasting a left-footed shot inside the near post. The goal was the first conceded by Nashville SC this season, snapping their shutout streak at 322 minutes. Bou, the Revolution’s leading scorer in 2022 and the fifth New England player to find the back of the net this season, moved into seventh place on the club’s all-time scoring list with his 38th regular-season goal.
Jones notched his 15th career MLS assist on the winning goal, his second helper in as many home games. Since the start of 2020, Jones ranks third among MLS defenders with 18 combined goals and assists.
New England’s next match, Saturday, March 25 at D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. ET, is available for all to watch for free on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies will have the radio call on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM), while 1260 AM Nossa Radio will call the action in Portuguese.
MATCH NOTES
- The Revolution have recorded three shutouts through the first four games of a season for the first time in club history. New England’s three clean sheets are tied for the most in MLS this season.
- The victory gives New England nine points through four games, marking the second-best start to a season in club history (10 points in 2005).
- The Revolution improve to 2-0-0 at home on the young season. The team’s 21 home wins since the start of 2021 are fourth most in MLS.
- The Revolution defeated Nashville SC for the first time in the series history (1-1-3). The Revolution have blanked Nashville in all three of their visits to New England (1 win, 2 scoreless draws).
- According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Djordje Petrović is now the fifth MLS goalkeeper to record 10 shutouts in his first 25 regular season starts, joining Jesse Gonzalez (11), Adam Kwarasey (11), Clint Irwin (10), and Josh Saunders (10).
- Gustavo Bou opened his goal-scoring account for the 2023 season – the first goal conceded by Nashville SC this season in 322 minutes of play. Bou now has 38 regular season goals for New England, seventh most in team annals.
- Dave Romney made his 175th career MLS appearance – lining up against his former club for the first time. Romney has recorded shutouts in seven of his last 13 starts between New England and Nashville.
- Henry Kessler started for the 75th time across all competitions with the Revolution, recording team highs in recoveries (13) and tackles won (3).
- Brandon Bye notched a team-high three chances created on the night.
- Dylan Borrero attempted a team-high four shots on the night, giving him 10 on the season to pace the squad.
- Latif Blessing made the 125th regular season start of his MLS career, playing all 90 minutes and winning a team-high eight duels.
- 17-year-old Homegrown midfielder Noel Buck started for the fourth straight game to begin the season, creating one chance on the attack.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 1, Nashville SC 0
March 18, 2023 – Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant Referees: Logan Brown (AR1), Adam Garner (AR2)
Fourth Official: Marcos DeOliveira
Video Assistant Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rene Parra
Weather: 48 degrees and clear
Attendance: 14,930
Scoring Summary:
NE – Gustavo Bou 1 (DeJuan Jones 2) 52’
Misconduct Summary:
NSH – Alex Muyl (Yellow Card – Persistent Infringement) 21’
NE – Matt Polster (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 70’
NSH – Jack Maher (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 73’
New England Revolution: Djordje Petrović; DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Henry Kessler, Brandon Bye; Noel Buck (Justin Rennicks 65’), Matt Polster ©, Latif Blessing, Dylan Borrero (Emmanuel Boateng 83’); Gustavo Bou © (Omar Gonzalez 85’), Bobby Wood (Giacomo Vrioni 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Jozy Altidore, Esmir Bajraktarević, Christian Makoun, Damian Rivera.
Nashville SC: Joe Willis; Daniel Lovitz, Jack Maher, Walker Zimmerman ©, Shaq Moore; Dax McCarty, Sean Davis (Ján Gregus 79’); Alex Muyl (C.J. Sapong 63’), Hany Mukhtar, Jacob Shaffelburg (Luke Haakenson 90’); Teal Bunbury (Fafà Picault 63’).
Substitutes Not Used: Elliot Panicco, Brian Anunga, Josh Bauer , Taylor Washington, Ethan Zubak.
Full statistics available HERE.
