Gillette Stadium—-The New England Revolution have smoothly progressed in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup following a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Panamanian side CA Independiente in Round One. Their 3-0 win at Gillette Stadium on Thursday sealed the deal.
After a 1-0 win in Panama last week, the Revs are now set to face Costa Rican team Alajuelense in the Round of 16. They’ll kick off the first leg at home on March 6 before heading to Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto for the second leg on March 14.
In coach Caleb Porter’s inaugural home match, a familial connection saw the Revs take an early lead in the 8th minute. Nacho Gil capitalized on a well-executed team move, courtesy of a precise through ball from Carles Gil.
Porter implemented two notable changes in the 46th minute, bringing in Lima for Kessler and Esmir Bajraktarevic for Carles Gil. Bajraktarevic immediately impacted the game with a strong run down the right side, setting up Tomás Chancalay for a chip shot goal, extending the lead to 2-0 by the 58th minute. Chancalay, who scored the only goal in the first game, capitalized on the opportunity. Vrioni delivered a precise cross to Kaye, securing the third goal in stoppage time.
To seal the deal, Mark-Anthony Kaye added an insurance goal in the 93rd minute, capitalizing on Giacomo Vrioni’s hard work.
“I really liked that we got three goals and got a clean sheet and I don’t know if they got a shot,” said Revolution first-year coach Caleb Porter. “Partly that was because we controlled the game with the ball but I thought our team defending went really well.
“It was a comprehensive performance and now we have to turn around and recover and think about the Sunday game.”
