MIAMI, Florida – The New England Revolution captured the final spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 thanks to a 3-0 victory against CA Independiente of Panama in the second leg of their Round One series on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
With the result, the Revolution emerged as 4-0 aggregate winners against the Canaleros to earn a place in the next round against Costa Rican giants and 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup winners Alajuelense.
🔜 @NERevolution is the last team to get on the #ConcaChampions Round of 16! pic.twitter.com/T6VALlEtWA
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) March 1, 2024
The rhythm of play favored the Revolution in the first half, and they did well to take the lead, 1-0, in the 8’ when a slick build-up in play from the attack ended with a quick touch pass from Carles Gil to brother Nacho Gil, whose finish beat CAI GK Eddie Roberts.
Things started to change once time ticked past the half-hour mark and for the final 10 minutes of the first half, it was CAI pegging New England back in their own half, although Revolution GK Henrich Ravas was not forced into any big saves.
The Revolution were keen to not let CAI into the series and they took a big step toward advancing in the 58’ when Esmir Bajraktarevic slid a pass across to Tomas Chancalay, who easily swept home a shot for a 2-0 lead.
It was all New England in the final half-hour, and Mark-Anthony Kaye polished things off in second half stoppage time with a finish in front of a net off a pass from Giacomo Vrioni for the 3-0 final.
