Late game drama results in draw for Revolution

The New England Revolution returned to action looking to overcome the struggles they faced in music city after suffering a 2-0 loss to Nashville. Wednesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Union was the second matchup in five days for the Revolution.

Although reaching the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, Philly has started off their 2021 MLS campaign on a slow note as they entered Wednesday’s 1-1-2 record.

Head Coach Bruce Arena reworked the lineup compared to Saturday’s loss to Nashville as the Revs returned to a 4-2-3-1 formation. A total of three changes were made to the starting XI as Tommy McNamara, Brandon Bye, and the debuting Jon Bell would make the start against Philly.

The Revs wasted no time to get their offense rolling. In the fifth minute, Carles Gil would find a trailing McNamara outside the box. McNamara would send a shot towards Philadelphia’s net but would be saved by Andre Blake.

Some close calls for the Revs defense in the opening minutes as Philadelphia attackers looked to draw fouls inside the Revs box and earn a penalty. Luckily for the Revs, the referee was not buying what Philly was selling.

The Revs came close to putting one on the board in the 11th minute as Traustason’s cross would be deflected and saved by Blake who coughed up a rebound.

Adam Buksa looked to score the game’s first goal in the 31st minute as he looked to have a one on one with the keeper. Buksa would get nipped by the turf monster but was able to compose himself and send a rising shot towards the top right corner of the net. Blake was able to quickly react and send the shot out for a Revolution corner kick.

Matt Turner came up big again in the 32nd minute after Olivier Mbiazo’s cross would find a waiting Sergio Santos inside the 6-yard-box. Santos looked to find the back of the net, but Turner was able to deflect the ball away from goal.

The turf monster would strike again in the 40th minute as Mbaizo would lose his footing in the Revs attacking half. McNamara would be quick to react as he quickly scooped up the loose ball and dash towards net. McNamara would find a lingering Buksa at the top of the box. Buksa looked to drive it into the back of the net, but the ball would take a deflection off a Philadelphia defender and out for a Revolution corner kick.

Tajon Buchanan had a chance to net the first goal in the 49th minute as Carles Gil’s pass allowed Buchanan to get one on one with Blake. Buchanan would send his shot way above the crossbar and out for a Philadelphia goal kick. Gil nearly netted the first goal in the 56th minute but his shot was just over the crossbar.

The Revs looked to take advantage of a perfect tackle from McNamara in the Revs attacking half in the 61st minute. Gil’s cross into the box would be headed away by Philly to a waiting Buchanan, who outmuscled Philadelphia and turned towards goal, and ripped a shot towards goal. Buchanan’s shot would veer left of the far post and went out for a Philadelphia goal kick.

Arnór Traustason came close to scoring in the 64th minute as his shot from the top left corner of the box curled just right of the far post.

A pair of substitutions came in the 68th minute as Teal Bunbury and Gustavo Bou would come on for Buchanan and Buksa.

The turf monster would strike for a third time in the 73rd minute as Jamiro Monteiro would find himself inside the box with a one-on-one opportunity against Turner. The turf had different ideas as Monteiro would get tripped up and the ball would roll out for a Revs goal kick.

Another pair of substitutions would come in the 79th minute as Edward Kizza and Matt Polster would come on for Traustason and McNamara.

Bunbury came close to sneaking a header past Blake in the 80th minute but it would roll out for a goal kick.

After coming close on numerous occasions, Bunbury would find the back of the net in the 84th minute. Although Jones’ pass was a tad long, Bunbury would fully extend himself, get his right foot onto the ball, and put the ball into the back of the net.

Things took a controversial turn in the 87th minute. Monteiro would send in a cross near the touchline to a waiting Kacper Przybylko, who jumped into the air, bashing his elbow into the head of Turner.

Bell would head the ball into the air above goal where it came down and found Przybylko, who headed it into the back of the net. Making it an even game in the closing moments.

Not only was Przybylko’s elbow not called initially, but the call would also not go to a VAR review meaning Philadelphia would get away with a clear and obvious foul on a play that resulted in the equalizing goal.

Although the Revs didn’t walk away with the three points as they should have. The Revs will be content with leaving Subaru Park with a point after having some difficult outings there throughout the 2020 season.

The Revs will look ahead to their third game in eight days, as they host Columbus S.C. on Sunday at 6 PM.