The Revs faced off with FC Cincinnati for their first matchup at the newly opened TQL Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It was another quick start for New England, pressing high, and creating chances.
Arnór Traustason continues to be plagued, he simply cannot put the ball in the back of the net. His early chances were denied. Brandon Bye found a few shots, directing one of his headers off the left post in the tenth minute. Tajon Buchanan laced a volley just inches over the crossbar. The first half came to a close with the Revolution holding a whopping 26 shots, while FC Cincinnati created just a couple of chances that Matt Turner was able to deny.
The second half started off with more of the same for New England. Tommy McNamara fired his second shot of the game early in the half, but it crawled over the crossbar yet again. The Revs simply could not finish off their chances, no matter how close they came.
Finally, a massive set piece opportunity arose for the Revs. Tajon Buchanan toasted both of his defenders down the bi-line, and Yuya Kubo hacked him down from behind. Carles Gil whipped in a inch-perfect cross on the ensuing free kick, finding Adam Buksa’s head for what was the first, and only goal. Buksa’s header was placed perfectly into the bottom left, where goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer was unable to reach.
The Buksa goal led the Revs to a 1-0 win, their first away win of the 2021 campaign. New England sits atop the Eastern Conference with five more points than any another team. The current record is now 5-1-2, worth 17 points. New England needs to work on finishing their chances, but there’s a lot of promise in their play. A three week hiatus looms for New England, as they’re off until June 19th. NYCFC will play host to the Revs on that date at Red Bull Arena.