Revolution 1, NYCFC 2: Revs drop three points after scoring first

Despite scoring first, the New England Revolution left three points at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.

Head coach Jay Heaps went with a shuffled lineup, favoring Juan Agudelo and Xavier Kouassi over Lee Nguyen and Diego Fagundez. The back line also looked different with Andrew Farrell playing left back, Benjamin Angoua starting on the right, and Antonio Delamea and Claude Dielna occupying the middle.

Despite the changes, it was New York City FC who had the first real chance of the game. In the 16th minute, Jack Harrison rounded Farrell before finding David Villa. Fortunately for the Revs, the striker’s shot missed the mark.

After a mundane period in which no shots on goal were recorded, Kelyn Rowe hit a screamer that forced a save from Sean Johnson. The ball continued to sail towards the net but ultimately hit the right post.

The second half began in a similar fashion as the first with both teams having half chances. The Revs made good on one of theirs when Farrell fired a long-range shot that Johnson couldn’t properly handle. Teal Bunbury was there to finish the rebound.

The Revs got a bit of a scare when Kouassi was seen hobbling around at midfield. The Designated Player is coming off a quadriceps injury and hadn’t started since May 27. Kouassi did look better as he walked off the field while being replaced by Diego Fagundez in the 69th minute.

Villa almost found an equalizer in the 74th minute. The Spaniard lined up a shot that was deflected, requiring Cody Cropper to make a reactionary save.

Villa would have better luck three minutes later when the Revs defense failed to clear a Ben Sweat cross. Villa was there to pounce and bring the game back to level terms.

NYCFC struck again during stoppage time, this time through Jonathan Lewis. The play began with a long ball to Villa, who then moved it centrally. Sweat was there to assist Lewis and secure full points for the home side. The tally was not without controversy as the Revs only had ten men on the field because Fagundez had been hit in the head moments earlier.

Things went from bad to worse for the Revs when Rowe went down with an injury during the dying minutes of the game.

The Revs will remain on the road, traveling to RFK Stadium to face D.C. United next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.