Takeaways: What we discovered from the Revolution’s season-ending loss to the Union

The Revolution have been eradicated from the MLS Cup playoffs on Wednesday evening at Gillette Stadium with a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union within the second sport of a best-of-three, first-round sequence.

New England got here into the evening needing a win to maintain its season alive after dropping the primary sport, 3-1, in Philadelphia. With the house loss, a season that after appeared promising — New England spent a lot of the summer season within the higher echelon of the Japanese Convention standings — ends with a thud.

The opening minutes of the primary half mirrored how the Revolution began in Philadelphia 10 days earlier, with New England monopolizing possession for lengthy intervals and constantly shifting the ball into the ultimate third. As soon as there, nonetheless, the offense stalled, creating simply two photographs within the first half (neither of which was on the right track).

The sport modified within the forty fifth minute when Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was proven a crimson card by referee Drew Fischer for stepping on Union attacking midfielder Daniel Gazdag. The decision was made after a video overview.

With the sport nonetheless scoreless at halftime, each groups instantly traded possibilities within the first 5 minutes after the restart. Enjoying with 10 gamers, New England continued to press ahead. As was the case within the first sport, Union defenders tried to gradual Revolution talent gamers (playmaker Carles Gil specifically) with irritating tackles.

Because the second half wore on, New England maintained a level of its benefit in possession however remained unable to seek out any breach in Philadelphia’s protection. With solely 10 on the sector, Revolution gamers started to tire as they tried to make up the numerical deficit.

Lastly, the Union discovered a breakthrough within the 79th minute after Philadelphia’s Jack McGlynn whipped a low free kick throughout purpose. Substitute Chris Donovan sneaked in entrance of New England heart again Henry Kessler and redirected the ball into the far nook of the online to offer the guests a late lead.

The Revolution responded with determined assaults, straining to seek out an equalizer to maintain the season alive. Gil and Argentine winger Tomás Chancalay labored the ball round and tried to create photographs however finally couldn’t ship the tying purpose.

Listed below are a number of takeaways:

▪ The Revolution weren’t solely enjoying at residence, however — for the primary time in a very long time — have been fielding an almost full-strength roster. The Union, then again, have been down a number of gamers (together with defender Kai Wagner, who was suspended after he mentioned a racial slur to Revolution ahead Bobby Wooden within the first sport).

It ought to have been an opportunity to beat a group that New England had not too long ago bested at Gillette (having defeated the Union, 2-1, within the regular-season finale Oct. 21). It was solely the second time the Revolution have been held scoreless since July.

▪ Initially, the problem between Kaye and Gazdag wasn’t dominated to be worthy of a card, however Fischer ultimately jogged over to the video display screen for a overview. His name — to offer Kaye a straight crimson card — modified the complexion of the sport.

“It was dominated that he stomped on the participant, so he acquired a crimson card,” Revolution interim coach Clint Peay mentioned. “I don’t have a take. I didn’t see the replay, however I feel by the regulation should you stomp on somebody you’re liable to get a crimson card, sadly. These are the playing cards you’re dealt.”

▪ After Bruce Area resigned in September, the Revolution have been destined to herald a contemporary regime within the offseason. With no extra video games to be performed, possession can start to assemble its new management group. This may doubtless imply a sporting director first, adopted by a head coach. As for Peay, he acknowledged his unsure future.

“These moments are by no means straightforward,” he mentioned. “I feel as I replicate, it was a fantastic expertise for me when it comes to with the ability to work with the group and be taught a bit of bit extra about what meaning. By way of my future, that’s not for me to resolve, so we’ll see.”