NEW YORK – There was palpable frustration in the New England Revolution locker room following their 2-1 loss to New York City FC on Saturday afternoon, as the Revs put in a diligent shift while playing with 10 men for more than 80 minutes.
“There was a chance for this to be a real good game today,” said sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena. “It had the makings of a real good game. It’s a shame we didn’t get a chance to do that.
“I’m just sorry for the fans that came out today, and for the players that we weren’t afforded the opportunity to have a good game.”
The match started out fast and furious as Juan Fernando Caicedo found the back of the net in just the second minute to give New England an early lead. With the visitors on the front foot, the tone changed in an instant just seven minutes later when defender Antonio Delamea - who was initially shown a yellow card for a foul on Valentin Castellanos - was sent off following a Video Review.
“I thought I played the ball back to (goalkeeper) Matt (Turner),” said Delamea. “Maybe I touched him with a hand afterward, but that was just because the guy came into my way of running.
“I just think that was the wrong decision that cost us, probably, a win, because I think when I was sent off we were the better team on the field.”
New England kept it 1-1 until the 96th minute when NYCFC’s Jesus Medina - who also scored the equalizer in the 70th minute - converted a penalty.
“Decisions are made on the field and you have to be able to perform regardless,” said Turner, who tied his single-game career high with nine saves. “The referee can be a variable and you just have to go out there and do your job, and we did that for the majority of the game.
“We were up 1-0 and we were pretty compact. We looked pretty organized. [Then] just two plays, and they were clinical.”
Although it was tough outcome for the group, the players all put in a valiant shift and will now look ahead to their next match at Orlando City SC next weekend.
“I still think it's very positive despite the result because the team fought,” J. Caicedo said through an interpreter. “Obviously after their first goal and the penalty at the end, it stung and it's hard to lose.
“I think what we have to do now is we have to turn the page and get ready for Orlando, because that’s going to be a really important game and that’s a game on the road, as well.”
