The New England Revolution extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games and cemented their playoff credentials with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Orlando City SC.
Already off to a scorching start to his MLS career, recently-signed DP Gustavo Bou got the Revs off to the perfect start in the third minute of Saturday evening's clash, finding Edgar Castillo with a clever backheel before running onto the return pass, taking two touches to set himself up and lifting it past Brian Rowe in the Orlando goal.
The Lions mounted a credible response after the opening goal, but were unable to break through due to some wasteful play in the opposition area. The Revs made them pay to start second half, as Brandon Bye found a sliver of space down the right flank from a throw in and sent a bouncing cross through the box that Cristian Penilla was able to turn into the far corner. They home side continued to pile it on just before the hour mark, with Carles Gil dispatching a penalty kick after Sebastian Mendez was penalized for a handball following Video Review.
Diego Fagundez scored perhaps the best goal of the evening with some of his first touches after coming on, taking advantage of some slack defending just outside the Orlando area and unleashing a rocket to the far corner to make it four for the Revs. The visitors pulled back a consolation goal shortly afterward when Tesho Akindele slammed home a Dom Dwyer cutback from close range.
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Goals
- 3' – NE – Gustavo Bou | WATCH
- 47' – NE – Cristian Penilla | WATCH
- 60' – NE – Carles Gil | WATCH
- 75' – NE – Diego Fagundez | WATCH
- 77' – ORL – Tesho Akindele | WATCH
Three Things
THE BIG PICTURE:
The Revs extended their unbeaten streak — matching a club record — and put themselves squarely in the middle of
the tight pack of teams
jockeying for position in the East. Still, head coach Bruce Arena was left wanting more from his side ahead of next week's showdown with Supporters' Shield-leading LAFC:
Orlando, meanwhile, find themselves increasingly adrift and could be seven points out of a playoff spot depending on other results.
Next Up
- New England: Saturday, August 3 vs. LAFC (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US and on DAZN in Canada)
- Orlando: Saturday, August 3 vs. FC Dallas (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US and on DAZN in Canada)
