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‘They’re the best team that I’ve ever faced’: Revolution routed again by Club América
Here are some takeaways as New England crashed out of the Champions Cup against a clearly superior opponent.
The Revolution were sent packing from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in miserable fashion on Tuesday night, losing to Liga MX side Club América 5-2 at the Estadio Azteca (and 9-2 on aggregate over the two-game matchup).
Even for a club that already has painful memories of traveling to Mexico City — New England squandered a 3-0 aggregate lead to Pumas in an earlier round of the competition two years ago — Tuesday’s loss was an especially one-sided.
The home side utterly dominated the first half, taking a 3-0 lead at a canter. Once established in a commanding position, América continued to add onto the Revolution’s nightmare experience.
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A pair of late Giacomo Vrioni goals allowed Caleb Porter’s team to avoid the embarrassment of being completely shut out over the two games.
The Revolution can now focus solely on the MLS regular season, and not a moment too soon: New England currently occupy last place in the Eastern Conference.
Here are a few takeaways from a CONCACAF mismatch, including an attempt to parse any silver linings from what could only be described as a debacle:
The gulf in quality was apparent from the opening minute.
Given the lack of salary cap rules in Liga MX, the difference in the two teams’ rosters is sizable (Porter discussed this in the aftermath of the 4-0 defeat in the first leg at Gillette Stadium last week).
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But even in context, New England’s starting XI on Tuesday was particularly overmatched. With no real chance of advancing after the heavy defeat in the first game, Porter named a heavily rotated lineup.
América, even with a degree of rotation in their own lineup, still fielded a powerful team. This was apparent from the outset.
Across the first 45 minutes, América maintained a staggering 70-30 possession advantage, outshooting the Revolution 12-1. While it took until the 21st minute for América midfielder Diego Valdés to find the first goal of the game, it was clear from the opening whistle that any prospect of a New England comeback was nonexistent.
América attacking players picked apart Revolution outside backs with ease. Nick Lima and Ryan Spaulding (who started on Tuesday) found themselves constantly chasing opponents they could neither mark nor tackle. Even DeJuan Jones, one of the Revolution’s regular starters, was consistently put on the back foot after being subbed on at halftime.
New England goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., though clearly not to blame for much of the disaster, also did not have a good night. One moment he’ll want back: América forward Henry Martin’s goal in the 48th minute, when the ball bounced right past his outstretched arm. Any notion that Edwards might challenge Henrich Ravas for a starting spot seems to have disappeared.
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Summarizing the mismatch after the game, Porter had nothing but praise for Club América.
“For me, they’re the best team in the tournament,” he said. “It’s why they won their league last year. I know they’re number two right now with a big game against Toluca on Saturday, but when they’re at their best, like in that first half, I’ve not seen a team like that. I’ve faced other Liga MX teams in this tournament, in Portland, in Columbus, and they’re the best team that I’ve ever faced.”
Finding the microscopic silver linings
One major silver lining is quite simply that New England no longer have to compete on multiple fronts (something the roster is clearly unfit to attempt at this point). The Revolution can officially regroup and try to turn around their league form.
Other silver linings, if you can call them as much:
Giacomo Vrioni, though both of his goals were far too late to have any real effect on the matchup, could gain some much-needed confidence going forward. New England will need the Italian-Albanian (a Designated Player) to be firing on at least most (if not all) cylinders to get back into the playoff race.
Esmir Bajraktarevic was one of the few Revolution players on the field Tuesday who didn’t look overawed by the opposition. While he still has some figuring out to do in terms of his passing and pacing (occasionally dwelling on the ball too much), the 19-year-old once again showed his immense potential.
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Tommy McNamara got his first start of 2024, looking composed and determined as always. In fairness, he outperformed fellow midfielder Noel Buck, and even forced a quality save from América goalkeeper Luis Malagón in the second half after firing a well-struck shot from the top of the box to the far post. He made a decent case to move up a few notches in New England’s crowded midfield depth chart.
The officiating was questionable.
While the Revolution would have lost both games (and the overall matchup) virtually regardless of refereeing circumstances, several of the officiating decisions on Tuesday night were, to put it diplomatically, a little curious.
It began with Club América’s opening goal in the 21st minute. Valdés handled the ball twice in a short sequence as he controlled Julián Quiñones’ looping cross, eventually firing a shot past Edwards and the Revolution defense for a goal.
Yet even after a overly-protracted video assistant referee (VAR) review, the official awarded the goal. It left commentators and observers alike mystified at the decision. If one handball wasn’t enough to call it back, how were multiple violations overlooked?
In the second half — with the game clearly decided — the referee went to VAR again to award a penalty against New England for a similarly obvious handball against New England midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye. Though Kaye was looking away from the ball, and had his hands near his sides (creating a potential argument for it being unintentional), the official decided to give the penalty. It appeared to defy his earlier precedent, a fact which Porter audibly pointed out on the sideline.
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Even Giacomo Vrioni’s final goal of the night — which in practical terms was an all but meaningless afterthought regarding the result of the matchup — was initially ruled out, requiring an agonizingly long review to eventually be confirmed.
Officials made New England’s already difficult night even tougher, showing once again the unfortunate regularity with which CONCACAF fails to achieve even the lowest of standards.
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