FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution II (9-9-4, 31 pts.) returns home on Friday night to begin a busy October, hosting Forward Madison FC (6-4-11, 29 pts.) at Gillette Stadium. The match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Revolution II recorded its second straight victory last Saturday night, knocking off first-place Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, 1-0, to hand them their first home loss of the season. Justin Rennicks scored the latest goal in team history, finishing off a fantastic individual effort in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time for the game’s only goal. It was Rennicks’ seventh goal at the USL League One level and his fifth game-winning tally. Goalkeeper Joe Rice kept his sixth clean sheet of the season, and New England’s eighth, with a five-save shutout. In 23 games with Revolution II, Rice is 10-7-6 with a 1.10 goals against average.
New England and Madison have met twice already this season with a pair of games in Wisconsin in June 11 days apart. New England won the series opener on June 19, 2-0, behind goals from Academy products Noel Buck and Michael Tsicoulias. In the second meeting on June 30, an early Madison goal from Jake Keegan propelled the hosts to a 1-0 victory.
Forward Madison has lost just once in its last 10 games and is unbeaten in three straight entering Friday’s contest. The Flamingos are coming off back-to-back 1-1 draws at Toronto FC II and, most recently, at Greenville Triumph SC last Saturday. Friday will be a reunion for Madison striker Ryan Sierakowski, currently on loan from New England. In five games since joining Madison, Sierakowski has scored three times and owns five total goals for the season between the two teams.
Match #23: Revolution II vs. Forward Madison FC
Date: Friday, October 1, 2021
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Streaming: ESPN+ (National) / YouTube (International)
Talent: Josh Eastern (play-by-play)
Social: @NERevolution2, #NERevsII, #NEvMAD
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Here are a few top storylines to watch on Friday:
- New England staying above the playoff line in a tight battle with six games remaining. Seven points separates third through 11th place in USL League One.
- Defender Ryan Spaulding playing 48 minutes to become the first Revolution II player to reach the 3,000-minute mark with New England. A start would also be Spaulding’s 35th with Revolution II, a team record.
- Midfielder Noel Buck adding to his five goals, second most on the team, as he prepares to make his 23rd appearance of the season. The 16-year-old, along with Spaulding, is one of two players to have appeared in every match this season.
- Hikaru Fujiwara, Collin Verfurth, Colby Quiñones, and Justin Rennicks all potentially making an appearance to register their 30th game played with Revolution II.
- Forward Justin Rennicks scoring a goal in a third straight match. New England is 6-1-0 all-time when Rennicks scores and his five game-winners are the most in team history.
- Defender Colby Quiñones playing 64 minutes to reach 2,000 for his career. Quinones set a career high with his 15th appearance in last Saturday’s victory.
- Forward Damian Rivera possibly making his 20th appearance of the season. The 18-year-old Academy product has eight career goals with Revolution II.
