Messi-mania cancels Chancalay’s early goal, Inter Miami win 4-1

FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution (1-1-7, 4 pts.) were defeated 1-0 versus Inter Miami (6-3-2, 21 pts.). in a match on Saturday.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in the Foxborough, Massachusetts to a crowd of 65,612.

This is an all-time home attendance record for the New England Revolution.

How we line up against Inter Miami CF at home.

Watch LIVE on @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass | https://t.co/LeQCXLWpKp pic.twitter.com/oPWBMf8edy

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 27, 2024

The team started their lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Henrich Ravas starting in net with a backline of (left back) Nick Lima, (center backs) Xavier Arreaga, and Henry Kessler, along with (right back) Ryan Spaulding. The midfield spots were manned by Matt Polster (left defensive midfield) and Mark-Anthony Kaye (right defensive midfield), with Carles Gil appeared ahead of them (central attacking midfield). The forward roles were manned by Emmanuel Boateng (left wing), Nacho Gil (right wing), and Tomás Chancalay as the lone striker.

Forward Giacomo Vrioni started the match on the bench due to recent form.

Midfielder/Forward Dylan Borrero is appearing on the bench for the first time since tearing his ACL 364 days ago.

Defender Henry Kessler is appearing in his 100th MLS match.

The team has been dealing with a sickness that left Dave Romney, Esmir Bajraktarević, Aljaž Ivačič, and Earl Edwards Jr. out of tonight’s match. Midfielders Mark-Anthony Kaye and Matt Polster were also sick but played through it. (Bajraktarević & Ivačič were confirmed that they were going to start the match).

Bringing the light. pic.twitter.com/zIYt4niAPE

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2024

Prior to kickoff, the New England Revolution supporter groups, the NERebellion and Midnight Riders unveiled a TIFO in front of the 65,000+ crowd.

The match kicked off with Inter Miami starting in the center circle. They elected to pass out of the back to begin the match.

Less than 45 seconds into the match, New England gained a 1-0 advantage.

ONE. MINUTE. IN. pic.twitter.com/lt1gPfiLyp

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 27, 2024

After a poor give-away by center back #21 Nicolas Freire, the ball was intercepted by Carles Gil. He then took three touches before lofting a through ball to Tomás Chancalay, who then took a one-time lofted chip shot over the head of goalkeeper #1 Drake Callendar and into the back of the net for his first MLS goal of the season.

The net major chance came for Inter Miami in the 16th minute when midfielder #10 Lionel Messi’s delivery into the area was met with a header by #8 Leonardo Campana but went wide of the net.

Miami had another chance when #10 Lionel Messi and #8 Leonardo Campana drove into the box two minutes later, but the ball was cleared away.

New England’s next major opportunity came in the 21st minute when Carles Gil’s delivery to the back post was just missed by Nick Lima.

Miami’s next opportunity came in the 25th minute when midfielder #41 David Ruiz’ effort went just wide of the top corner of the goal.

Inter Miami’s first major goal scoring chance came in the 28th minute when midfielder #10 Lionel Messi took on three players and took a right-footed shot that was saved by Henrich Ravas.

Entering the 33rd minute, Inter Miami leveled the scoreline.

Asistencia de Robert Taylor en su regreso a un Messi que NO falla #VamosMiami pic.twitter.com/jBKLCVNTF6

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 28, 2024

Forward #16 Robert Taylor initially played a lofted through-ball which was blocked. He then recovered his own pass attempt and played a guided through-ball to midfielder #10 Lionel Messi for an easy left-footed shot into the bottom corner past Henrich Ravas for his 8th goal of the season.

Just 2 minutes later, Miami had yet another chance when forward #16 Robert Taylor’s effort went high and wide of the net.

In the 39th minute, Miami had a chance off a corner kick taken by #10 Lionel Messi. The in-swinger cross was met with a header by midfielder #24 Julian Gressel, but it was too heavy, and the ball went out for a goal kick.

After the 45+1 minutes, the match entered halftime level at 1-1.

LEVEL AT THE HALF.#NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/2JZxnbkZI8

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 28, 2024

The second half began with New England starting from the center circle. New England elected to build out of the back to start the second half.

New England had the first chance of the second half when Mark-Anthony Kaye unleashed a long-shot in the 46th minute that went just high and wide of the net.

Miami’s first chance of the second half came in the 51st minute when forward #8 Leonardo Campana’s header went just wide of the right-post.

In the 60th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by substituting midfielder Matt Polster and replacing him with midfielder Ian Harkes.

Just 4 minutes later, in the 64th minute, Inter Miami head coach Tato Martino made his first change of the match by substituting forward #8 Leonardo Campana and replacing him with forward #9 Luis Suárez.

Entering the 68th minute, Inter Miami took the lead.

Que bien se conocen!

Busi Messi pic.twitter.com/xbo5ZAOIrL

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 28, 2024

After receiving the ball in the middle of the park, midfielder #5 Sergio Busquets slotted the ball between New England’s entire defensive line and picked out midfielder #10 Lionel Messi for a left-footed shot in the bottom right corner for his 9th MLS goal of the season.

In the 72nd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second and third change of the match by substituting defender Andrew Farrell and midfielder Emmanuel Boateng and replaced them with defender Ryan Spaulding and forward Giacomo Vrioni.

Just 3 minutes later, in the 75th minute, Inter Miami head coach Tato Martino made his second and third change of the match by substituting midfielders #24 Julian Gressel and #16 Robert Taylor and replacing them with midfielders #30 Benjamin Cremaschi and #7 Matias Rojas.

In the 81st minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his fourth and final change of the match by substituting midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye and replaced him with Dylan Borrero. This is Borrero’s first appearance since tearing his left ACL in late April of 2023.

Moments later, Inter Miami added to their lead.

Impacto inmediato de Benja! pic.twitter.com/T6ziKomDLc

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 28, 2024

Midfielder #5 Sergio Busquets sent the ball down the left side of the penalty area to find midfielder #7 Matias Rojas. He then took the ball to the byline and kept the ball in after being blocked by Henry Kessler. He then passed the ball centrally to find midfielder #10 Lionel Messi. He took a one-time shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Henrich Ravas; however, the rebound fell to midfielder #30 Benjamin Cremaschi for the simple finish at the back post for his first MLS goal of the season.

During the build-up to the goal, Revolution midfielder Nacho Gil went down with a non-contact injury. He limped off of the field with a trainer and was visibly upset. He immediately went down to the locker room following the injury. Due to the Revolution already using their 3 substitution windows, the Revolution would play the remaining 7 minutes of the match with only 10 men.

New England had a great chance in the 85th minute when Tomás Chancalay’s effort went just wide of the left post.

Entering the 88th minute, Inter Miami added to their lead.

Cerrando la noche con broche de oro Golazo de Suárez tras asistencia de Messi pic.twitter.com/JxiRNAvP71

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 28, 2024

Midfielder #10 Lionel Messi attempted a lofted through-ball that was headed away by Ryan Spaulding. The ball was then collected by midfielder #30 Benjamin Cremaschi, who then found Messi, who then found forward #9 Luis Suárez for a rocket right-footed shot into the top left corner for his 7th MLS goal this season.

New England’s last chance of the match came in the 92nd minute when Dylan Borrero’s delivery into the area was met with a save by goalkeeper #1 Drake Callendar.

Borrero had yet another chance in the 94th minute when his delivery into the area was cleared.

After the 90+5 minutes, Inter Miami held on for the 4-1 victory.

Final. #NERevs | @SantanderBankUS pic.twitter.com/4sOzDAwvBr

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 28, 2024

Following the match, Revolution DP Giacomo Vrioni and Inter Miami CF DP Luis Suárez exchanged jerseys on the field.

The New England Revolution have remained in the Eastern Conference and have now fallen to last place in all of Major League Soccer.

Head Coach Caleb Porter, now 1-1-7, has the second worst start as a head coach joining a new team in MLS history.

Brittany Polster confirmed on twitter that her husband, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster went to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. due to playing in the game with complications from the sickness.

Caleb Porter and the New England Revolution (1-1-7, 4 pts.) head out to Chicago to face Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire FC (2-4-4, 10 pts.). The match will kick off at Soldier Field at 8:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 4th. For more MLS NEXT Pro content, you can find it on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

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