FOXBORO – New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil returned to the practice pitch Monday after an eventful weekend.
Last Friday Gil was added to the 2023 MLS All-Star Team that will engage Arsenal FC of the English Premier League on July 19 at Audi Field in Washington D.C. Gil is the fourth Revolution player to be selected to three straight All-Star rosters and joins keeper Djordje Petrovic on the 2023 squad.
“I think everybody wants to be there because that means you are doing good things,” said Gil. “To play with good players in the league, play against Arsenal, I think it will be fun.”
That uplifting news was followed by a downer on Saturday. Gil was suspended one game for yellow card accumulation and missed the Revolution’s controversial 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls at Red Bulls Arena in Harrison, N.J. The setback snapped the Revs’ seven-game unbeaten streak.
“It’s hard, obviously, when you’re playing all the games and then miss a game,” said Gil. “The way that happened was frustrating. I tried to support the team from home.”
The Revolution tied the game 2-2 on a tally by Andrew Farrell in the 93rd minute. But the goal was disallowed following a VAR review. Referee Rubiel Vazquez determined that Revs’ striker Giacomo Vrioni was in an offside position blocking the sight line of NYRB keeper Carlos Coronel.
Vazquez was repudiated on Monday in a PRO referee association statement. The Pro confirmed that NYRB’s Tom Barlow reached out and deflected the ball past Coronel and the goal should have counted.
“It was difficult because Andrew is a special player in that locker room,” said Gil. “We are always happy when someone scores a goal but Andrew is special.”
Arena said the team has put the hard-luck loss behind them and are focused on Wednesday night’s encounter with Atlanta United FC (7:30) at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution and AUFC battled to a wild 3-3 draw in Georgia on May 31.
The Revolution are unbeaten at home this season at 7-0-3 and protecting the house has been a team priority. The Revolution have won three straight home games and outscored their opponents 8-3.
The Revolution will face AUFC without right back DeJuan Jones and midfielder Latif Blessing. Jones is away competing with the U.S. National Team, while Blessing is serving a red card suspension.
“I think any time you play at home, you think that you can win,” said Arena. “Home field advantage in any sport is important and I think we’ve had some good support in the stands as of late. Those things add up to home field advantage.”
The Revolution play consecutive home games in four days before the MLS season breaks for the upcoming Leagues Cup tournament. The Revs take on D.C. United on Saturday night.
The Leagues Cup incorporates a World Cup format set in stages with teams from MLS and Mexico’s LIGA MX. The Revolution open stage play against the Red Bulls in New Jersey on July 22. They host LIGA MX opponent Club Atletico de San Luis at Gillette on July 26. The MLS season resumes at Nashville on Aug. 20.
“Atlanta is closing in on us and I think we are aware that even D.C. United is picking up the pace,” said center back Ben Sweat. “Teams that started slow can pick it up and push those teams that were in the top five positions.
“I think if we can get six points, we can close the gap on (first place) Cincinnati. It would be huge heading into League’s Cup.”