The 2024 Leagues Cup group stage is officially concluded!
New England Revolution claimed the final Round of 32 berth on Tuesday night at Gillette Stadium with their 1-1 (5-4) penalty shootout victory over Nashville SC.
The match began with a bang as former USMNT striker Bobby Wood scored his first goal of the season to give the home side the lead inside three minutes. Revolution homegrown Jack Panayotou provided the assist with a squared cross after cleverly identifying the space behind the Nashville backline.
Despite only needing a draw in regulation to win the group, New England made their intention to win the game clear from kickoff.
Knowing the visitors required a win by a two-goal margin to advance, once they had the lead in their back pocket the Revs were able to drop into a mid-block and challenge their opponents to play through them. In the meantime, the hosts caused problems with their press and attempted to double their lead in transition.
For most of the half, Nashville struggled to play through New England until they decided to go over instead. In stoppage time Jacob Shaffelburg was spotted by Daniel Lovitz who sent the Canadian international running down the left channel with a direct ball. Once latched onto the ball, Shaffelburg picked out a cross to the back post where Patrick Yazbek laid the ball into the path of 2023 Leagues Cup star Sam Surridge to equalize with the first goal of the B.J. Callaghan era just before the teams headed to their locker rooms.
The goal gave the Coyotes life to start the second half which they dominated for the first fifteen minutes culminating in an important save by Aljaž Invačič to deny Surridge at the near post. Even as the Revolution balanced the pace of play throughout the half, Surridge would continue forcing saves out of Ivačič, most notably in the 79th minute with a diving stop on a strong header from the Englishman.
As hard as Nashville pushed to keep their Leagues Cup campaign alive, none of the pressure was enough to break the dam and find a winner as New England sent last season’s runner-up packing after the group stage, securing victory in group East 5 and the final knockout round spot with a point. Not that they needed it, but Ivačič came up with a clutch save in the shootout to put the cherry on top with the victory and an extra point.
As group winners, the Revolution earned the right to host New York City FC at Gillette Stadium in an Eastern Conference Round of 32 battle on August 9th. Bring on the knockout rounds!
