Carles Gil's late penalty gave the New England Revolution a share of the points in a 3-3 thriller against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday afternoon. With the Sounders leading and less than five minutes left in regulation, Jordy Delem was whistled for a handball in his own penalty area, setting up Gil's equalizing goal and a thrilling finish to a back-and-forth encounter that featured three lead changes.
Seattle got the excitement started within two minutes of the opening whistle after Delem played Jordan Morris down the left with a ball into space. The forward's cutback intended for Raul Ruidiaz rolled untouched all the way across the front of the Revs goal, leaving Harry Shipp with an easy finish at the far post.
New England leveled in the 27th minute when Michael Mancienne — playing his first game since May 4 — thumped home a header that was initially ruled out for a foul before the call was overturned via Video Review. The visitors then took the lead eight minutes later when Gustavo Bou flicked Edgar Castillo's cross off the post and in.
The pendulum swung back Seattle's way during a two-minute flurry midway through the second half. Shipp picked up his second goal in the 65th minute, losing his marker for a free header past Matt Turner in the Revs' goal, before Nicolas Lodeiro scored a deflected goal on Seattle's next trip down the field after the restart.
Even after Gil had leveled for the Revs in the 87th minute, there was still more action on both ends. Turner and Seattle 'keeper Stefan Frei were up to the task however, leaving the sides had to settle for a point each.
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Goals
- 2' – SEA – Harry Shipp | WATCH
- 27' – NE – Michael Mancienne | WATCH
- 35' – NE – Gustavo Bou | WATCH
- 65' – SEA – Harry Shipp | WATCH
- 66' – SEA – Nicolas Lodeiro | WATCH
- 87' — NE — Carles Gil | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The point earned at home moves Seattle up to second place in the West — at least temporarily — and atop the incredibly tight pack chasing LAFC, though they may come to rue the points dropped at home in the battle for playoff positioning. The Revs remain in a playoff spot in the East for now, but will find themselves on the wrong side of the playoff line if Toronto and Montreal both win later on Saturday evening.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Take your pick. But one that will probably be the focus of some post-match discussion came in the closing seconds of the first half. The Revs were up 2-1 and appeared to have found a third through an own goal after a mad scramble in the box. Though the goal was initially awarded, referee Dave Gantar went to Video Review and ruled out the goal for a foul by Bou on Frei. Given the timing of the decision and what transpired in the second half, the reversal — which left Revs head coach Bruce Arena none too pleased in his halftime interview — might have changed the whole complexion of the game.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Again, take your pick. But all credit to Carles Gil, who pulled the strings all day long for the Revs, then showed his cool to convert from the penalty spot and give his team a share of the points in one of MLS’s toughest venues.
Next Up
- Seattle: Wednesday, Aug. 14 at Real Salt Lake (10 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- New England: Saturday, Aug. 17 at NY Red Bulls (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
