The Revolution had their seven-game unbeaten streak snapped with a controversial 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
With the Revolution down a man, Red Bulls’ midfielder Wikelman Carmona scored the game-winner in the 85th minute. The Revolution appeared headed for an unwarranted point when right back Brandon Bye deadlocked the match 1-1 in 79th minute.
The Revolution tied the game 2-2 on a tally by Andrew Farrell in the 93rd minute. But the goal was disallowed when it was determined that Revs’ striker Giacomo Vrioni interfered with the sight line of NYRB keeper Carlos Coronel.
“The ball was deflected by a Red Bull player so the goal should have been good,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “That is my opinion of it.
“They said Vrioni was interfering with the goalkeeper. But with the Red Bull player deflecting the ball the goal should be allowed. That’s the third time this year we have had a goal taken away on a VAR interpretation.”
The Revolution (10-4-7) remain in third place in the Eastern Conference and resume MLS play on Wednesday night against Atlanta United FC at Gillette Stadium.
The Revolution were without playmaker and team captain Carles Gil, who was serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
“Your team is better when your best player is on the field in any sport,” said Arena. “Obviously we are not going to be the same quality if Carles on the field.”
Arena made several personnel changes and re-schemed the formation from the Starting XI that battled first place FC Cincinnati to a 2-2 draw in Ohio on July 1.
The Revolution opened with a 4-3-3 scheme with homegrown rookie Esmir Bajraktarevic on the front end with Gustavo Bou and Bobby Wood. Emmanuel Boateng was the center midfielder in Gil’s place flanked by Matt Poster and Latif Blessing. Ben Sweat started at center back in place of Ryan Spaulding, who started the last two games in place of international call-up DeJuan Jones.
“It was a poor game, poor quality and the conditions were tough and we didn’t play well,” said Arena. “What more can you say,”
The game took on a dramatic change in New York’s favor before the match reached the hour mark. The Red Bulls went up 1-0 midfielder Frankie Amaya scored in the 58th minute.
The Revolution took a huge hit when Blessing took a red card in the 60th minute, putting the club a man down for the final third of the game plus stoppage time. Arena made four substitutions in the 68th minute to deal with the crisis.
“That red was pretty soft,” said Arena. “Obviously when you see the game the referee had, nothing should surprise you. They could certainly argue it a red because he may have hit him.”
Wood drew a yellow card from referee Rubiel Vazquez for a hard takedown of Sean Nealis in the sixth minute. Bajraktarevic had an uncontested shot in the penalty area sail over the crossbar on a cross from Boateng in the ninth minute.
NYRB regrouped and brought the game with a fury to goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who was in the right spot to make three big saves on shots from the penalty area. The Red Bulls enjoyed a 11-4 advantage on shots and 164-99 in completed passes but the first half ended scoreless.