TUCSON, Ariz. – The New England Revolution advanced to the championship game of the Desert Diamond Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake at Kino Stadium on Wednesday, their third straight win in the tournament.
Forward Diego Fagundez scored just eight minutes in off a feed from strike partner Zack Schilawki. Three minutes later, RSL equalized thanks to a laser from the top right corner of the box by midfielder Nico Muñiz.
But the Revs secured the victory in the 56th minute in a play set up again by Fagundez. The 17-year-old sent in a chip that beat RSL ‘keeper Kyle Reynish, but deflected off the crossbar. New England trialist Björn Runstrom was there to head it home.
Both teams fielded mostly reserve lineups, although RSL inserted seven first-teamers just past the hour mark.
Scoring Summary:
NE – Diego Fagundez (Zack Schilawski) 8
RSL – Nico Muniz (unassisted) 11
NE – Bjorn Runstrom (unassisted) 56
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Florian Lechner (caution) 79
Lineups:
New England Revolution: Bobby Shuttleworth, Florian Lechner, A.J. Soares, John Lozano (Tyler Polak 65), Kevin Alston (Ryan Kinne 46), Ryan Guy Michael Roach, Gabe Mercier (Austin da Luz 46), Jeremiah White (Alec Purdie 67), Zack Schilawski (Bjorn Runstrom 46), Diego Fagundez (Saer Sène 68)
Substitutes Not Used: Tim Murray, Fernando Cardenas, Blake Brettschneider, Rick Smith, Bobby Devyne
Real Salt Lake: Kyle Reynish, Lance Laing (Diogo Almeida 46), Carlos Salcedo (Chris Schuler 65), Leone Cruz (Jamison Olave 65), Terukazu Tanaka (Tony Beltran 65), Enzo Martinez (Jonny Steele 65), Yordany Alvarez (Kyle Beckerman 65), Sebastian Velasquez, Nico Muniz (Luis Gil 65), Cody Arnoux (Fabian Espindola 65), Emiliano Bonfigli (Paulo Jr. 75)
Substitutes Not Used: Lalo Fernandez, Chris Wingert, Ned Grabavoy
