FOXBORO – The New England Revolution advanced to the Round of 16 in the Leagues Cup Tournament with a shootout victory over Atlas FC before 9,299 fans at Gillette Stadium
The game ended in a 2-2 tie but Revolution prevailed 8-7 in penalty kicks with center back Andrew Farrell netting the game winner. The Revolution will host the winner of the Pumas UNAM vs. Queretaro game.
The Revolution are an original MLS franchise and the match against Atlas was the club’s milestone 1,000th game across all competitions.
The Revolution were managed from the sidelines by interim head coach Richie Williams, who assumed the top spot when the team placed head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena on indefinite admirative leave. Arena is the subject of an MLS investigation for making “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”
Williams made limited changes to the Starting XI that pummeled Atletico San Luis 5-1 on July 26 at Gillette with one notable exception. All-Star goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic did not dress, fueling speculation that he is headed for Europe.
Earl Edwards Jr. started in place of Petrovic and made two huge saves from a free kick in the second minute. Forward Giacomo Vrioni, who had a hat trick against Atletico, saw his uncontested header on a cross from DeJuan Jones sail over the net in the fourth minute.
Atlas went up 1-0 on a superbly executed give and go between Jaziel Martinez and Mateo Garcia in the eighth minute. Martinez forced a turnover and slip the ball to Garcia, who launched a rocket from the top of the box that found the far post.
Atlas went up 2-0 on a one-man breakout by Jordy Caicedo in the 11th minute. Caicedo controlled a clear at midfield and streaked behind Farrell. Edwards left the cage to make the initial stop, but Caicedo headed home the rebound.
The Revolution cut the lead to 2-1 when forward Gustavo Bou scored in the 30th minute. Midfielder Carles Gil gained possession on a lateral shift through the box and fired a low shot that was kick saved by Atlas’ keeper Camilo Vargas. Bou collected the rebound and kicked it into the exposed half of the cage for his second of the tournament.
The Revolution created two excellent scoring opportunities in stoppage time but failed to score the equalizer.
The Revolution took a huge hit at the start of the second half when dynamic right back Brandon Bye was helped off the field with an apparent knee injury. Bye tried the make a play on Martinez from behind, then their legs locked and he went down awkwardly. Bye was replaced in the 49th minute by Ryan Spaulding.
The Revolution tied the game 2-2 in the 79th minute when Bou booted in his own rebound on a penalty kick for his second of the game. The Revs were awarded the penalty kick when Giacomo Vrioni was fouled inside the box. Atlas FC picked up two red cards late in stoppage time but was too late to effect the outcome.