Unlikely scorers Jalil Anibaba and Brandon Bye found the back of the net Saturday to give the New England Revolution a desperately needed 2-1 victory over Minnesota United at Gillette Stadium, their first of the season.
Bye's match-winner was the 23-year-old's second in MLS, and Anibaba's earlier header marked his first MLS goal in almost exactly four years. Anibaba was one of six lineup changes made by Brad Friedel following a 2-0 home loss to FC Cincinnati last weekend.
Darwin Quintero converted from the spot for his third goal of the season for Minnesota. But the Loons were second-best in their penultimate match of five on the road to open their campaign before debuting Allianz Field on April 13.
Goals
- 10' - NE - Jalil Anibaba | WATCH
- 26' - MIN - Darwin Quintero (PK) | WATCH
- 62' - NE - Brandon Bye | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Of Friedel's six changes, the most eye-catching were winger Cristian Penilla and goalkeeper Brad Knighton, who were dropped from the 18 entirely despite not being listed on the club's injury report. As for Minnesota coach Adrian Heath, if you'd offered him six points out of his first four away matches, he may have taken it, but this will still feel like an opportunity lost.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The Revs were in the ascendancy for most of the match. But during a rare sequence on the back foot, Cody Cropper made this phenomenal denial of Francisco Calvo to prevent the visitors from taking a smash-and-grab lead. Cropper was in his first MLS start since 2017.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Carles Gil. The 26-year-old Spaniard pulled the strings all afternoon for Friedel's squad. His sublime service set up Anibaba's opener for his first MLS assist, and he was unlikely not to have another or add to his total of three goals.
Up Next
- NE: Saturday, April 6 at Columbus Crew SC (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN)
- MIN: Saturday, April 6 at New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN)
