New England vs. Atlas, Leagues Cup Round of 32: A storybook ending to hellish week

On the night of the organization’s 1,000th competitive game, the New England Revolution’s all-time appearance leader stepped up in a penalty kick situation with a chance to win it for his side. Of course Andrew Farrell finished the deal. Hitting the team’s eighth spot kick in penalties, Farrell’s finish sent the Revs to an 8-7 win and a spot in the Leagues Cup Round of 16, and washed away the bitter taste of so many moments that had built up over the course of this week.

It was a storybook moment almost cliche to write, but the fact Farrell was put in that situation wasn’t the work of some mysterious ghostwriter high in the rafters at Gillette. It was because the Revs put together a gutsy, statement performance when so many things conspired against the guys in the days leading up.

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New England at (vs.) Atletico de San Luis, Leagues Cup match 2: Revs meet the moment

And to think I went into last night in a pessimistic mood. Hosting (OK we were the away team but let’s be real) a Liga MX side coming off that embarrassment at NYRB at the weekend, I worried that the Revs might fold and decide a month’s vacation would be better than a chance to play elimination soccer. Instead, New England showcased how lethal the attack can be when clicking, and the defense held it together and allowed Djordje Petrovic to do his thing in goal. The result was a beautiful 5-1 decision that secured passage to the Leagues Cup Round of 32.

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New England at New York Red Bulls, Match 21: VAR hates us and we hate it…but we also sucked

I’d love to use my lede to make some witty remark about VAR and how bad MLS officiating has been to us this year and how we were robbed of a point last night against the energy drinks and that Bruce looks like he might up and have a stroke one day trying to comprehend decisions on the touchline, but there’s a much more simple explanation for last night: The New England Revolution were well and truly shit.

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New England at Cincinnati, Game 20: Honors even, again

After 180 minutes of soccer, I can say one definitive thing about the budding New England/Cincinnati “rivalry”—we’re gonna need another 90 in the playoffs to decide who’s better. And barring the Philadelphia and Nashville fan bases, how many people would really mind if this was the Eastern Conference final?

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New England vs. Orlando, Match 18: One La Pantera is better than a pride of Lions

Who knew a Designated Player Striker could not only start a game, not only register an assist, but start, get an assist, and score a goal! Gustavo Bou’s return to the starting lineup last week carried over to Saturday, and La Pantera sent a reminder to everyone that there are plenty of talented Argentines in MLS.

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New England vs. Inter Miami, Match 17: Three points again, finally!

So it’s really funny, I had to work Saturday night so I missed almost the entire game live and instead followed via (hashtag)NERevs. I kid you not, I finally got the game on and witnessed this Farrell masterclass within the first 30 seconds. Soccer gods punish me for not watching!

But three points is three points, and with three goals scored before the penalty was given—I laughed when it happened because it was so absurd to witness—the Revs put a halt to a league winless streak that started back on May 13 against this hapless Inter Miami side.

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New England at Philadelphia, Gameweek 14: Wait, I thought 2022 was last year

Erm, excuse me, what in the actual fuck??? I thought we were good this year!? OK so I think the Revs still are but this has NOT been a fun stretch of games lately. Knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup and licking the wounds from an unnecessary loss to Miami, a trip to Subaru Park to face the Union was JUST what we needed. Only, everything was going fine—until it wasn’t. A 3-0 loss and several injuries later, this was about as shitty a trip to Philadelphia as imaginable.

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