FOXBORO – The New England Revolution extended an historic unbeaten streak and swept a three-game homestand in the process.
The Revolution set a club record for the longest home unbeaten streak (7-0-3) to start a season with a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC before 24,596 on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution improved to 10-3-6 with their second win over TFC this season.
The Revolution secured nine points and scored eight goals with wins over Inter Miami, Orlando City and Toronto in the longest homestand of the season. The Revolution moved past Nashville into second place in the Eastern Conference and hit the road for a showdown with first-place FC Cincinnati on July 1.
“We didn’t play well, we had a poor game and we were fortunate to get three points,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “I give Toronto a lot of credit, they played hard and made us earn the three points.”
The Revolution scored three goals in the previous two games of the homestand and Arena was looking to duplicate that with minimal but obvious changes to the Starting XI. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was back after missing one game while serving call up duty with the Serbian National Team.
Toronto FC scored first on an inspired display of ball possession in the 11th minute. Striker Lorenzo Insigne intercepted an attempted clear at the top of the box and connected with defender Cristian Gutierrez, who was streaking the left flank. Gutierrez launched a cross that midfielder Deandre Kerr headed inside the near post for his third of the season.
“He (Petrovic) did OK and he made a big save at the end of the game,” said Arena. “His distribution could have been better but Djordje is always good.”
The Revolution tied the game 1-1 on Bobby Wood’s seventh of the season in the 33rd minute. Midfielder Emmanuel Boateng fired a line drive cross that deflected off a TFC defender and landed at Wood’s right foot. Wood patiently lined up his shot and fired the ball inside the near post.
“He had a big goal and he’s our leading goal scorer,” said Arena. “He is pretty active and had a solid performance for us.”
Gustavo Bou found the back of the net in the 41st minute but the play was ruled offside. Giacomo Vrioni replaced Bou in the 46th minute. That moved paid off when Vrioni put the Revs up 2-1 in the 52nd minute.
Carles Gil lofted a deep rainbow from the Revs end that reached Wood in the TFC box. Wood made a lateral feed to Vrioni, who was stationed in the middle of the penalty area. Vrioni stutter-stepped to the right, then crossed up Ranjitsingh with a reverse angle shot that found the far post for his fourth of the season.
“He (Vrioni) got the winning goal but he is still learning with this league and with our team,” said Arena. “He has a way to go but he works hard and is making progress.”
Wood was credited with the helper, giving him a goal and an assist in a game for the third time this season. Insigne scored what appeared to be the equalizer in the 90th minute but the play was ruled offside.
