Leagues Cup ’23: New York Red Bull vs N.E. Revolution

The first match for the Revolution and Red Bulls in League’s Cup 2023 is tonight, the two sides have met plenty of times during the time in Major League Soccer (MLS) that holds no water here tonight. Anything can happen in the new league competition and maybe past experiences will help and maybe it will not at all.

The match was entered into with heavy hearts by the Revolution, long-time former goalkeeper Brad Knighton and his family lost his daughter, Olivia Knighton (11), in a boating accident off the coast of Myrtle Beach, SC. She was just 11 years old at the time of the accident and had her whole life to live. Brad announced his retirement earlier this year, following a 16-year career (12 of which were spent with the New England Revolution), and is now the head coach of the Revolution’s U-19 academy team.

The match was highly physical, and bodies went flying around the pitch for both sides. Dante Vanzeir created a few opportunities but was unable to capitalize on them in the first half of play. It would not have been a Red Bulls match if Tom Barlow didn’t hurt his side and cost them quality chances at goal, so don’t worry, he fulfilled his role to perfection, and to dig that knife in deeper, he goes offside to get a breakaway and cause pandemonium for no reason just before halftime.

I must admit that it is shocking that Tom Barlow and his play still fool fans. The man can only do good things by being in the wrong positions; his two goals this season came off the hard work of his teammates, and he just tapped in the work. Yes, he occasionally has a moment or two in a match where one could confuse him with a first-division soccer player. The man has only excelled in the United Soccer Leagues (USL), which in the United States is a second-division league.

The second half was similar to the first half of the match, marked by chances created, missed, and blown due to sloppy play. The physical nature of the game will always be there when these sides collide. It was and is painful to say, but it was one hundred percent a Red Bulls match. A challenging, defensive-minded game with no room for fun or creativity, the game was characterized by trapping and running players off the ball. For soccer fans who appreciate solid defense, it was their type of match; for those who prefer quick passes, high-level skills, and exciting goals, it was hard to watch and painful.

Due to competition rules, the match went straight to penalties, and we got a good one. Round One: Elias Manoel (#RBNY) went first and saw the ball saved when he went to the lower right corner, and Carles Gil went for New England, and he converted by going to the lower left corner of the 2nd post. (0-1)

Round Two: Daniel Edelman converted going lower right 1st post, and Gustavo Bou went lower right as well of the 1st post and converted. (1 – 2)

Round three: Dante Vanzeir converted going lower right corner of the 1st post, and DeJuan Jones was denied going lower right corner of the 1st post. (2-2)

Round four: Sean Nealis stepped up and went right down Broadway, middle of the goal for the lead, and Giacomo Vrioni stepped up for the Revs going lower right corner, but Carlos Coronel made the save. (3-2)

Round five: John Michael Tolkin (JMi) stepped up, and he went to the lower left corner of the 2nd post for the win. (4-2)

Red Bull will earn 2 points for their win, while the Revolution will receive 1 point for the tie and 0 points for the loss. The Red Bull currently sits in first place in the group, Revolution sits in second place, and San Luis, who has yet to play, sits in third place. While the Red Bull won, the loss of Olivia Knighton is felt on and off the field. She was a bright star that lit up any room she entered. She will be missed by those who had the honor and pleasure of knowing her and her family.

#RBNY #LeaguesCup2023