BRADENTON, Fla. – The New England Revolution opened the 2018 preseason with a 4-3 win over the New York Red Bulls at IMG Academy on Wednesday morning. Head Coach Brad Friedel’s first exhibition match on the sidelines saw New England erase an early two-goal deficit and secure the win courtesy of goals from Brian Wright, Cristian Penilla, Kelyn Rowe, and Femi Hollinger-Janzen.
New York broke out to a fast start with goals in the 11th and 13th minutes, first from a tight-angle shot from Alex Muyl followed by a powerful strike from Bradley Wright-Phillips near the penalty area. The Revolution responded emphatically with a calm finish from Wright, assisted by Scott Caldwell, in the 32nd minute. Penilla, recently acquired on loan from Pachuca, closed the first-half scoring with a long solo run capped off by a powerful blast to the top-right corner in the 39th minute.
The scoring resumed in the 60th minute when Teal Bunbury was tripped up at the edge of the 18-yard box, earning a penalty, which Rowe slotted past the goalkeeper’s right side. New England opened up a two-goal advantage in the 70th minute with a team goal finished by Hollinger-Janzen, created by a combination between Bunbury, Wright, and Rowe. New York tallied again in the 76th minute on a direct free kick from Carlos Rivas, but New England held on to the lead to secure the victory.
The Revolution continue preseason action on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET with an exhibition against top-division Swedish club Malmo FF in Bradenton. New England concludes the Florida leg of its preseason against FC Cincinnati (USL) on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 3:30 p.m. ET, before a brief return to Foxborough, Mass. The Revs will then travel west to Tucson, Ariz. on Feb. 11, where the club will play four matches in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup.
Scoring Summary:
NYRB – Alex Muyl 11'
NYRB – Bradley Wright-Phillips 13'
NE – Brian Wright (Scott Caldwell) 32'
NE – Cristian Penilla 39'
NE – Kelyn Rowe (Penalty Kick) 61'
NE – Femi Hollinger-Janzen (Kelyn Rowe, Brian Wright) 70'
NYRB – Carlos Rivas 76'
New England Revolution (1st Half): Matt Turner; Chris Tierney, Claude Dielna ©, Jalil Anibaba, Andrew Farrell; Scott Caldwell, Zachary Herivaux; Cristian Penilla, Diego Fagundez, Femi Hollinger-Janzen; Brian Wright
New England Revolution (2nd Half): Matt Turner; Gabriel Somi, Jalil Anibaba (Andrew Farrell 64'), Nicolas Samayoa, Brandon Bye; Ryley Kraft, Isaac Angking; Teal Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe ©, Cristian Penilla (Femi Hollinger-Janzen 64'); Brian Wright
