Revolution 3, Timbers 1: Buksa and Bou lead the way for the Revs

The New England Revolution wrapped up preseason play on Saturday night with a 3-1 victory over the Portland Timbers.

Despite seeming to be outplayed for much of the first half the Revs took a 2-1 lead into the break at Providence Park. The low-light of the first half was a stint of questionable defending by Henry Kessler and Scott Caldwell that led to a turnover to Diego Chara, who gave Portland the 1-0 lead around the half hour mark. Caldwell and Kelyn Rowe both had a number of notable misplays in the first half, but besides this play I was pretty happy with what I saw from Kessler.

Adam Buksa almost tucked a header under the crossbar, and Rowe and Penilla both failed to capitalize on chances in the first half, but La Pantera was able to put the Boys in Blue up 2-1 before the break thanks to the Portland defense leaving him unmarked to the left of the goal post for the equalizer, and then with a goal on a penalty kick after Buksa was taken down in front of the goal.

The Revs saw one change at the half, as Diego Fagundez came in for Kelyn Rowe.

Bou found Buksa with some beautiful give and go play early in the second half to give the Revs a 3-1 lead. Diego Fagundez had a nice scoring opportunity blocked by the Portland keeper late in the second half. Justin Rennicks and Tajon Buchanan came on to close out the game for the Revs and almost connected for goal in stoppage time.

The Revs will open the 2020 regular season next Saturday, February 29th, when they visit the Montreal Impact for a 3PM meeting at Olympic Stadium.

How do you feel about the squad heading into the regular season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!