TORONTO, Ontario (April 20, 2024) – The New England Revolution (1-6-1; 4 pts.) played to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Toronto FC (4-4-1; 13 pts.) on Saturday night at BMO Field. The Revolution controlled the ball and threatened Toronto with chances throughout the night, finishing with an 18-15 edge in shot attempts, but could not overcome a 66th-minute goal by Toronto forward Prince Owusu. New England goalkeeper Henrich Ravas kept New England within striking distance with a single-game high seven saves, including his first MLS penalty stop.
In the first half, New England tested Toronto with several scoring opportunities, including a well-struck shot by Nacho Gil in the 39th minute that looked destined for the back of the net, before a timely block by Toronto defender Nicksoen Gomis denied the opening goal. After halftime, Giacomo Vrioni nearly put the Revolution in front on a breakaway attempt, but Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson parried the shot wide with one of his six saves on the night. Vrioni finished with two shots on target, while Carles Gil paced the team with three attempts on frame.
New England saw another quality chance following a free kick from Esmir Bajraktarević, which fell to Andrew Farrell, but the defender was unable to find the target. Bajraktarević was one of two 19-year-old Homegrown players to start the match along with Noel Buck, who exited in the 44th minute with an injury and was replaced by Toronto native Mark-Anthony Kaye. Bajraktarević played the full 90 minutes and recorded three key passes, tied with Carles Gil for the team lead.
After the half, Toronto forward Prince Owusu broke the deadlock in the 66th minute with the opening goal. The hosts then looked destined to double their lead when they were awarded a penalty in the second half, but Ravas made the save down to his left in the 76th minute to keep the Revolution within one. In search of an equalizer, Caleb Porter deployed forwards Tomás Chancalay and Bobby Wood off the bench in the 72nd minute. The pair combined for five shot attempts over the final 18 minutes, but the visitors could not find the net.
New England returns home next Saturday, April 27 for a matchup with Inter Miami CF at Gillette Stadium. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff is available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the Revolution’s local radio calls on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (WBZ-FM), with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies, and on 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA” in Portuguese.
MATCH NOTES
- New England held the shot advantage in shot attempts (18-15), passes completed (534-351), and passing percentage (86.9%) in the narrow loss.
- Carles Gil (3) and Giacomo Vrioni (2) were the team leaders in shots on target.
- Gil and Esmir Bajraktarević each recorded three key passes in the match. Bajraktarević, a Homegrown Player, logged 90 minutes in his seventh appearance and fourth start of the 2024 MLS season.
- Henrich Ravas made a MLS-career high seven saves, including his first penalty save with New England in the 75th minute.
- Matt Polster played all 90 minutes, surpassing 10,000 minutes played for with New England across all competitions.
- Andrew Farrell recorded his 325th MLS regular season start, most in team history, and his third of the season.
- Nacho Gil recorded two shot attempts in his eighth appearance and fourth start of the MLS campaign.
- Toronto native Mark-Anthony Kaye entered the match in the 44th minute, making his fifth league appearance of 2024 in relief of an injured Noel Buck.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 0 at Toronto FC 1
April 20, 2024 – BMO Field (Toronto, Ontario)
Referee: Mark Allatin
Assistant Referee: Jeremy Kieso
Assistant Referee: Adam Garner
Fourth Official: Renzo Villanueva
Video Assistant Referee: Sorin Stoica
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jozef Batko
Weather: 44 degrees and partly cloudy
Scoring Summary:
TOR - Prince Owusu 1 (Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty 2) 66’
Misconduct Summary:
TOR - Raoul Petretta (Yellow Card - Hard Foul) 8’
NE - Nacho Gil (Yellow Card - Hard Foul) 30’
NE - Matt Polster (Yellow Card - Dissent) 42’
TOR - Jonathan Osorio (Yellow Card - Dissent) 43’
TOR - Matty Longstaff (Yellow Card - Hard Foul) 65’
New England Revolution: Henrich Ravas; Ryan Spaulding (Emmanuel Boateng 85’), Henry Kessler, Andrew Farrell, Nick Lima; Matt Polster, Nacho Gil (Tomas Chancalay 72’), Noel Buck (Mark- Anthony Kaye 43’); Giacomo Vrioni (Bobby Wood 72’), Carles Gil ©, Esmir Bajraktarević.
Substitutes Not Used: Dave Romney, Ian Harkes, Earl Edwards Jr.
Toronto FC: Sean Johnson; Nicksoen Gomis, Sigurd Rosted, Kobe Franklin (Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty 62’), Raoul Petretta (Aime Mabika 62’); Matty Longstaff (Kosi Thompson 71’), Tyrese Spicer, Deybi Flores, Jonathan Osorio ©; Frederico Bernardeschi, Prince Owusu (Deandre Kerr 85’).
Substitutes Not Used: Ayo Akinola, Cassius Mailula, Andrei Dumitru, Luka Gavran.
