Recap: NYCFC 2, New England Revolution 3

Jonathan Sigal

The New England Revolution extended their perch atop the Eastern Conference standings with a dramatic 3-2 win at New York City FC on Saturday night, returning from the June international break with their second consecutive road victory.

New England got the last laugh during a four-goal second half, as midfielder Tommy McNamara easily passed home a low Tajon Buchanan cross from the left flank in the 88th minute. The Canadian winger's service drifted across the six-yard box after a defense-splitting pass from Carles Gil, and McNamara made no mistake from close range.

McNamara’s strike canceled out a would-be equalizer from NYCFC in the 85th minute after Ismael Tajouri-Shradi cleaned up a corner-kick scramble on the doorstep. Tajouri-Shradi’s shot made it 2-2, causing both teams to push for a game-winner at Red Bull Arena.

The second-half outburst began in the 55th minute when Thiago Andrade, a halftime substitute making his MLS debut, equalized at 1-1. The Brazilian winger, who had replaced Talles Magno, collected a Maxi Moralez cross to send his right-footed effort off the post and in.

The Revolution negated Thiago Andrade's goal in the 78th minute when center back Jon Bell powerfully nodded home a Gil cross past goalkeeper Sean Johnson, making it 2-1. Bell started in place of Henry Kessler in New England's defense and repaid head coach Bruce Arena's trust with his first MLS goal.

New England's offensive explosion began in the 27th minute via Gustavo Bou, who lasered home a right-footed volley from outside the penalty area. NYCFC center back Maxime Chanot cleared his header centrally, and the Argentine forward improvised with a twisting shot past Johnson for a 1-0 lead.

NYCFC could have taken a lead in the 12th minute, though Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner sprawled to his right to deny a Taty Castellanos penalty kick. Andrew Farrell originally tripped up Jesus Medina with a slide tackle, yet the Cityzens’ striker couldn’t dispatch his stutter-step attempt from 12 yards out.

Goals

27' – NE – Gustavo Bou | WATCH
55' – NYC – Thiago Andrade | WATCH
78' – NE – Jon Bell | WATCH
85' – NYC – Ismael Tajouri-Shradi | WATCH
88' – NE – Tommy McNamara | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: This was arguably New England’s toughest test yet in the 2021 MLS season, and they went blow-for-blow with NYCFC. Bruce Arena’s team has won four straight games and is getting contributions from stars and lesser-known players alike. NYCFC battled back twice and could have won if not for some heroics from Matt Turner. But the Cityzens’ defense showed too many holes on a night where they won the shots battle 18-8.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Tommy McNamara’s first goal in a Revolution uniform gave the visitors three points and came against his former club. The MLS veteran started on the right wing, then capped his strong showing with a late-arriving run after dropping to central midfield.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Matt Turner’s PK save may get lost in the offensive explosion. He brilliantly stopped Taty Castellanos, then preserved the win with a near-range stop on Maxi Moralez in the 91st minute. Turner made seven saves on 3.35 expected goals against.