CINCINNATI, Ohio (July 1, 2023) – The New England Revolution (10-3-7; 37 pts.) played FC Cincinnati (13-2-5, 44 pts.) to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night at TQL Stadium. New England secured a point to extend the unbeaten streak to seven matches, while becoming the first visiting team to register a point at TQL Stadium this season. Forward Gustavo Bou played a role in both of New England’s goals tonight, netting his fourth tally of the season after forcing an FC Cincinnati own goal. 

After FC Cincinnati netted the opening goal via Dominique Badji’s tally in the 11th minute, New England scored twice within a 10-minute window to claim the lead. Bou’s long-distance shot in the 15th minute was saved by FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, but the rebound deflected off of Badji into the net for the game-tying goal. Nine minutes later, Bou scored his fourth goal of the season on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to give New England a 2-1 advantage. Bou played 86 minutes in tonight’s match and led the Revolution’s attack with a team-high three shots, two on target. 

Midfielder Carles Gil, who logged three chances created, eclipsed the 10,000 MLS minutes played mark tonight. However, a yellow card for Gil will see the midfielder suspended for next Saturday’s match at the New York Red Bulls. In the backline, right back Brandon Bye suited up for his 150th MLS appearance, while left back Ryan Spaulding made his second consecutive start since returning to the club from loan. Bye registered a game-high five clearances. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrović, a 2023 MLS All-Star selection, made five saves. 

Tonight’s match marked the fourth time in the last eight years that the top two teams in MLS played against one another 19 or more games into a season. With the result, New England remains unbeaten, 4-0-3, over its last seven meetings against FC Cincinnati. The Revolution are also undefeated, 2-0-1, in three games played at TQL Stadium. New England’s away record shifts to 3-3-4 following tonight’s draw, as the Revolution become the first team to earn a result away at Cincinnati, spoiling the Orange and Blue’s perfect home record, now 10-0-1. 

The Revolution return to action next weekend with a visit to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, July 8. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Red Bull Arena airs on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish, and airs locally on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub or 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese.

TEAM NOTES

• Tonight’s match marked the fourth time in the last eight seasons the top two teams in the Supporters’ Shield standings met 19 or more games into a season.
• The Revolution are now undefeated in the last seven MLS matches (3-0-4).
• The Revolution move their record against FC Cincinnati to 4-1-3, including a 3-0-1 record in Cincinnati.
• New England is now unbeaten in 15 straight matches (13-0-2) when leading at half.
• New England’s 35 goals this season rank fourth in MLS.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Gustavo Bou scored his fourth goal of the season to give New England a first-half lead, while also creating an own goal for New England off a deflected shot. Bou finished the night with a team high three shots, including two on target.
• The goal was Bou’s 41st in regular season play, matching Joe-Max Moore for sixth place on the club’s all-time scoring list. 
• Carles Gil became the 22nd Revolution player to surpass 10,000 MLS minutes for the club on Saturday, leading the team in recoveries (7), chances created (3), and tackles won (2) on the night.
• Brandon Bye made his 150th career MLS appearance, marking the occasion with a team high five clearances.
• Dave Romney notched his 175th career MLS appearance, winning seven of his 10 aerial duels in Saturday’s match.
• Homegrown midfielders Jack Panayotou and Damian Rivera both entered the match in the second half off the bench.
• Rivera made his fourth appearance of the season, first since April 22 and since returning from international duty with the Costa Rica Under-23 team, while Panayotou earned his eighth MLS appearance.

GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 2, FC Cincinnati 2
July 1, 2023 – TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas (AR1), Matthew Nelson (AR2)
Fourth Official: Jeremy Scheer
Video Assistant Referee: David Barrie
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tom Felice
Weather: 82 degrees and mostly cloudy
Attendance: 25,513

Scoring Summary: 
CIN – Dominique Badji 3 (Yuya Kubo 2, Luciano Acosta 5) 11’
NE – Dominique Badji (Own Goal) 15’
NE – Gustavo Bou 4 (Unassisted) 24’
CIN – Dominque Badji 4 (Luciano Acosta 6) 54’

Misconduct Summary: 
CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 36’
NE – Carles Gil (Yellow Card – Simulation) 51’
NE – Latif Blessing (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 52’

New England Revolution: Djordje Petrović; Ryan Spaulding 86’) (Ben Sweat, Dave Romney, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye; Matt Polster, Emmanuel Boateng (Damian Rivera 67’), Carles Gil ©, Latif Blessing (Jack Panayotou 67’); Gustavo Bou (Omar Gonzalez 88’), Bobby Wood (Giacomo Vrioni 67’).

Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Esmir Bajraktarević, Joshua Bolma, Justin Rennicks.

FC Cincinnati: Roman Celentano; Ray Gaddis, Yerson Mosquera, Nick Hagglund; Álvaro Barreal, Marco Angulo (Sérgio Santos 69’), Obinna Nwobodo, Santiagio Arias (Alvas Powell 86’); Luciano Acosta ©; Yuya Kubo (Malik Pinto 89’), Dominique Badji (Arquimides Ordóñez 86’).

Substitutes Not Used: Alec Kann, Joey Akpunonu, London Aghedo, Isaiah Foster, Bret Halsey.

Full statistics available HERE.