Revolution 1, NYCFC 2: Referee draws attention in Revs loss

Referee Silviu Petrescu was at the center of Saturday’s game against the New England Revolution and New York City FC in more than one way. The referee made several big calls, as NYCFC beat the Revs 2-1.

Bruce Arena made two changes to last weekend’s starting XI and both made immediate impacts.

Juan Fernando Caicedo, making his first start since Jul. 17, scored in the third minute when he fought off Sebastien Ibeagha to collect his fifth goal of the season. Andrew Farrell earned the assist with a long through ball.

Antonio Delamea, who last started on Aug. 3, was shown a red card in the ninth minute when he was deemed to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Arena reacted by replacing J. Caicedo with Jalil Anibaba in the 22nd minute.

The red card, which was given after Video Review, made Petrescu the focal point of the game. The man in the middle did little to deter the attention, as the first half was full of chippy play. Maximiliano Moralez, Ibeagha, and Keaton Parks were all shown yellow cards before the halftime break.

NYCFC looked dangerous during the start of the second half. Alexander Ring had a shot saved in the 49th minute and narrowly missed with a volley in the 55th. These chances, as well as others, couldn’t find their way past goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Turner came up big in the 65th minute when he stepped in front of a point-blank shot from Jesus Medina. Ring was the instigator, as he offered a low cross from the left side.

Medina got his goal in the 70th minute when got on the end of a cross, this one coming from the right. The play was assisted by Anton Tinnerholm and Ring.

The game’s dying moments brought drama, as Petrescu returned to Video Review to issue a penalty. Andrew Farrell was ruled to have made a brash tackle in the box. Medina took the ensuing PK, giving the home team the full three points.

The Revs will return to the Foxborough before traveling to face Orlando City SC next weekend.