Revs crash out of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with disapointing loss versus Pittsburgh Riverhounds

FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (7-3-1, 23 pts.) were defeated in a 1-0 match versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2-5-2 11 pts. in USL Championship) in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Match on Tuesday, May 9th.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to a crowd of roughly 1,000.

Tonight's Starting XI

WATCH: https://t.co/R1oDhA4Nxj #NEvPIT 0-0 | #USOC2023 pic.twitter.com/ruT6c9rIdj

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 9, 2023

The team started their lineup in a 4-4-2 formation with Earl Edwards Jr. starting in net with a backline of (left back) Ben Sweat, (center backs) Omar Gonzalez, and Christian Makoun, along with (right back) Joshua Bolma. The midfield consisted of Damian Rivera (left midfield), Jack Panayotou (left center midfield), Latif Blessing (right center midfield) and Justin Rennicks (right midfield) The striker roles were manned by Jozy Altidore (left striker), and Giacomo Vrioni (right striker).

Center back Omar Gonzalez dawned the captain’s armband for the second U.S. Open Cup match in a row.

Three former Revolution players return to Foxborough as 1st round (24th overall) draft pick forward Edward Kizza and defender Michael DeShields started the match for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, while midfielder Trevor Zwetsloot started the match on the bench. This is their first appearances in Foxborough since being released by both the Revolution first and second team’s last season.

Altidore, Blessing, Vrioni all seeing Open Cup action tonight after missing time recently. Gives the #NERevs a bit more of a veteran look than the previous round against Hartford.

Carles Gil also available on the bench again in a “break glass in case of emergency” role. https://t.co/5K1JuupJGg

— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) May 9, 2023

The match kicked off with Pittsburgh starting from the midfield kickoff. #24 Tola Showunmi played it backwards to his center back who then sent it forward up the field into the Revolution defensive third.

Less than one minute into the match, Pittsburgh jumped on the gas pedal and uncorked an early shot 30 seconds in which was caught and saved by Earl Edwards Jr.

After a back-and-forth 15 minutes to start the match, the next moment of the match came in the 19th minute when Revolution midfielder Latif Blessing entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a tackle on #14 Mertz.

The ensuing freekick taken by Mertz was lofted toward #16 Burke Fahling and was caught and saved by Earl Edwards Jr.

Revolution forward Giacomo Vrioni shields a defender in a match versus Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

In the 31st minute, the Revolution had their best chance of the half.

As winger Damian Rivera drove down the left flank, his low driven ball was blocked off the line by Pittsburgh midfielder #16 Burke Fahling. The ball then found the feet of Jozy Altidore, who sent the ball wide of the goal.

7 minutes later, #16 Burke Fahling sent an in-swinging cross into the box that found #24 Tola Showunmi. His header got lofted back to #2 Danny Griffin, who laid it back to #24 Tola Showunmi whose effort went just wide.

Just before halftime, Pittsburgh broke the deadlock.

It only took two games back to get the first goal for @DannyGriffin04 since rejoining the club… and what a beauty of a ball through by @MarcYbarra23!

Check out how we pulled ahead before the break.#NEvPIT #HOUNDTAHN #USOC2023 pic.twitter.com/bbxzg1nukY

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) May 10, 2023

While alone in midfield, Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielder #23 Marc Ybarra played an on the ground right footed outside the boot pass that made its way past Joshua Bolma and Omar Gonzalez. The ball found #2 Danny Griffin inside the penalty area and his shot snuck just by Earl Edwards Jr. for the one goal advantage.

After the goal, there was little-to-no action in the remaining minutes as the match entered halftime with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ahead 1-0.

HT. 45' to go! pic.twitter.com/FW6nkRST5R

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 10, 2023

The second half of the match kicked off with Revolution starting from the midfield kickoff. Giacomo Vrioni took the kickoff and played it backwards to Christian Makoun, who then sent it up the right flank of the field.

The first moment of the second half was in the 61st minute when Jack Panayotou’s long range effort went just wide of the right post.

In the 64th minute, Bruce Arena made his first changes of the match by making four substitutions. He replaced Latif Blessing, Damian Rivera, Joshua Bolma and Ben Sweat with Carles Gil, Brandon Bye, Dave Romney, and Emmanuel Boateng.

Looking to break the deadlock, in the 72nd minute, midfielder Carles Gil played a magnificent ball to find forward Giacomo Vrioni. He trapped the ball down, took a few touches before sending a weak left-footed shot on goal that was easily saved by #26 Jahmali Baite

In the 78th minute, Bruce Arena made his final change of the match by replacing forward Justin Rennicks with Esmir Bajraktarević.

Revolution midfielder Jack Panayotou (22) dribbles the ball in a match versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution

In the 80th minute, Pittsburgh Riverhounds defender #13 Luke Biasi entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on Brandon Bye.

In the 85th minute, Revolution midfielder Jack Panayotou entered the referee’s booklet with a yellow card for a foul on #9 Albert Dikwa.

The last chance for New England came in the 88th minute when midfielder Emmanuel Boateng played a lofted ball to the back post that found Brandon Bye. His effort was blocked by a defender and then cleared to midfield.

After the 90 minutes and 4 additional minutes, it was not enough for New England as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ended the match victorious by the score of 1-0.

That's the 90'. pic.twitter.com/oT6rONl5Ul

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 10, 2023

With this result, The Revolution are officially knocked out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Pittsburgh Riverhounds advances and are set to find out their next opponent in the fifth-round draw (Round of 16) held on May 11th at 2:00 p.m.

The New England Revolution (7-3-1, 23 pts.) head to Fort Lauderdale to face Inter Miami CF (4-0-6 12 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, May 13th. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)