New England opens two-game homestand with battle against Eastern Conference rival;
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (2-8-1; 7 pts.) will host the Philadelphia Union (3-4-5; 14 pts.) on the club’s annual Salute to Heroes night, this Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The first of two straight home games for New England kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and is FREE to watch on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen on the radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM), with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies on the call. Portuguese commentary is available on 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA”.
CLICK HERE to view the Revolution’s game notes for Saturday’s match against the Philadelphia Union. Interview footage from Thursday’s match preview press conference featuring Caleb Porter and defender Henry Kessler is available to download HERE. For additional assets and the 2024 Revolution Media Guide, visit the Revolution Media Center, which contains the latest club media schedule, transcripts, interview footage, video b-roll, and photos for editorial use.
New England embarks on a stretch of four home games over the next five weeks, beginning with the first of two meetings with the Union this season. The Revolution split the 2023 season series against Philadelphia, with each side registering a victory. New England has collected points in five of its last seven encounters with Philadelphia, posting a 3-2-2 record against their I-95 rival dating back to the 2021 campaign. The Eastern Conference rivals have met twice in the MLS Cup Playoffs in the last four years, clashing in the 2020 and 2023 postseasons, with each side prevailing once.
Philadelphia carries an unbeaten 2-0-4 road record into Saturday’s contest, though the Union are winless at 0-4-2 over their last six games. The Union fell to New York City FC, 2-1, in a midweek match on Wednesday in Philadelphia. Midfielder Dániel Gazdag guides the Union’s attack with a team-high seven goals scored. With veteran goalkeeper Andre Blake injured, German goalkeeper Oliver Semmle has stepped in between the posts for Philadelphia, making eight starts this season.
Midfielder Carles Gil and forward Giacomo Vrioni each scored in the Revolution’s 4-2 defeat to the New York Red Bulls last weekend at Red Bull Arena. Gil, who scored with his head for the first time in MLS, reached 100 MLS goal contributions with his-team high fourth goal of the league campaign. The 2021 MLS MVP ranks second in the league with 38 key passes and 79 shot-creating actions. With his left-footed strike in stoppage time, Vrioni raised his total to two goals on the season, and 15 tallies in all competitions with New England. The 25-year-old striker has started nine of his 10 games played this season and is set to make his 25th MLS start this weekend.
Gil and Vrioni, along with the rest of the Revolution’s attacking corps, will look to make up for the loss of dynamic forward Tomás Chancalay, who will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation. The Argentinian had reached the scoresheet in three consecutive games with two goals and an assist. Homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević is one of the players who could help fill the void, as the 19-year-old American international looks to add to his MLS-career high six starts this season, including the last three consecutive games. Emmanuel Boateng, who recorded his first assist of the season against the Red Bulls, provides another veteran presence on the wings.
Revolution newcomers Aljaž Ivačič and Xavier Arreaga, who joined the club in April at the end of the Primary Transfer Window, continue to establish themselves in the New England defense. Against New York, Ivačič recorded his second straight start in net, while Arreaga suited up for his third consecutive start in central defense, alongside Henry Kessler. Nick Lima logged his seventh consecutive start at outside back, and his next selection will mark his 175th regular season start in MLS.
Salute to Heroes Match: Saturday’s match will be the Revolution’s annual Salute to Heroes night, honoring those who have served or are currently serving our community, including local military, police, fire, and first responders. The Revs will host 100 members and staff from VA Boston for a pre-match hospitality reception. The Revolution Fan Zone will feature several activations from branches of the Armed Forces and USO New England. Saturday night’s Hero of the Match will be all active and retired military and first responders, while a large American flag will be unfurled on the Gillette Stadium pitch by retired military members as The Navy Band Northeast performs the National Anthem. Paying homage to Armed Forces Day, the Row of Honor will feature military members representing all branches of the military.
2024 Major League Soccer – Matchday #15
New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
WATCH & LISTEN:
Watch: FREE on Apple TV in English and Spanish
English Talent: Chris Wittyngham (play-by-play), Lori Lindsey (analyst)
Spanish Talent: Moises Linares (play-by-play), Pablo Marino (analyst)
English Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
Radio Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst)
Portuguese Radio: WBIX 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA”
