3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 2-1 win vs. the Union
New England Revolution
New England jumped into second place within the Japanese Convention after ending Philadelphia’s unbeaten run.
The Revolution pulled off a profitable three-point heist in Philadelphia on Saturday night time, downing the Union 2-1 in a conflict between two resurgent Japanese Convention contenders.
Objectives from Dor Turgeman and Carles Gil overcame the stoppage time Philadelphia tally from Neil Pierre.
With the win, the Revolution moved as much as second place within the Japanese Convention.
Listed here are the takeaways:
New England ends Philadelphia’s streak
Because the World Cup break, the Union had been unbeaten in league play heading into Saturday night time, fully reigniting playoff hopes that appeared nonexistent a number of months in the past. The Revolution had been 6-2-0 of their final eight street video games previous to the sport in opposition to the Union, reversing some early-season struggles away from Gillette Stadium.
The Revolution have already clinched a playoff spot, however stay locked in a battle to clinch home-field benefit within the first spherical of MLS postseason play (requiring a top-four end). A matchup on the street in opposition to the most popular staff within the league proved to be one more optimistic barometer studying for New England head coach Marko Mitrovic.
Whereas the Union had been lacking 17-year-old rising star Cavan Sullivan (out with an harm), the Revolution had been as soon as once more with Alhassan Yusuf (hamstring) and Jack Harrison (quad).
Given the context, securing a street win to finish the Union’s unbeaten run is a feather in New England’s cap. And with the postseason closing in, it will likely be an injection of confidence for Mitrovic’s comparatively youthful roster.
Peyton Miller returned to left again
After spending a lot of the season — particularly in the previous couple of months — working as a winger, 18-year-old academy graduate Peyton Miller returned to his authentic function as a left again.
With common left again Will Sands dominated out attributable to harm, Miller stepped again into the defensive function.
Testomony to his 2026 evolution to develop into extra of an outright attacking menace as a winger, Miller was concerned in each New England targets. His header on Gil’s cross was the proper setup for Turgeman’s opening aim. He additionally supplied the lengthy ball to Gil earlier than the Spaniard bumped into the field and was tripped (resulting in the penalty kick and second aim).
The sport was additionally a small window into the risk-reward nature of Miller as a left again. Instantly earlier than his move to Gil forward of the penalty kick, he was caught up-field and out of place after a turnover, which almost resulted in a Union equalizer. His defensive positioning — and balancing when to assault and when to defend — stays imperfect. But what the Revolution may periodically lose in defensive solidity, Miller greater than makes up for together with his contributions when New England is in possession.
Joshua Wynder is one to observe
One of many defining attributes of the Mitrovic period has been a dedication to giving youthful gamers an opportunity. And whereas that was straightforward within the case of Miller (a participant who has been productive nearly since making his MLS debut at age 16), the first-year Revolution head coach deserves credit score for putting in gamers like Brooklyn Raines and Ethan Kohler as properly.
An extra title is being etched onto that listing within the type of middle again Joshua Wynder. The 21-year-old is on mortgage from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, becoming a member of New England in September.
Whereas he initially appeared a bit of tough across the edges in his positioning, Wynder has rapidly settled in. On Saturday, he once more confirmed his functionality for nearly all the recreation (the lone exception being Pierre’s aim in stoppage time, although it was a barely unlucky sequence of occasions on condition that the ball someway bounced off the nook flag previous to the cross with out going out of bounds).
However his passing was once more notable — no different Revolution participant averaged greater than 50 p.c on lengthy balls, whereas Wynder accomplished six out of 10. He’s additionally able to forays ahead, which he once more confirmed on Saturday in a number of moments.
Like all the Revolution’s youthful gamers, he’s an unfinished product. But Mitrovic and New England’s teaching workers stay assured in enjoying him, even with veteran middle again Mamadou Fofana getting back from harm (he was an unused substitute on the bench). Fofana will possible return to the lineup quickly when he’s absolutely match, however Wynder’s improvement is yet one more optimistic indicator for the Revolution.
Get the most recent Boston sports activities information
Obtain updates in your favourite Boston groups, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
