New England Revolution Survive Late Rally to Defeat Rhode Island FC in U.S. Open Cup
Pawtucket, RI – In a thrilling match at Centreville Bank Stadium, the New England Revolution clinched a 2-1 victory against Rhode Island FC in the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup, capturing the attention of 9,539 fans on Wednesday night. This fixture marked the first-ever meeting between the two New England clubs and showcased the potential of local rivalries in the region’s burgeoning soccer scene.
Revolution forward Tomas Chancalay kicked off the scoring, netting the first-ever goal in the stadium’s history in the 21st minute. Rhode Island’s Maxi Rodriguez equalized in the 50th minute, converting a well-worked cross. As the match approached its conclusion, it was 17-year-old Cristiano Oliveira—a Somerville native and making his senior team debut—who emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
Head coach Caleb Porter fielded a largely rotated squad, opting for a mix of veterans and young talents, with notable contributions from Chancalay and 34-year-old forward Maxi Urruti. Despite Rhode Island’s defensive game plan, they exhibited moments of danger, particularly leading up to their equalizer.
Even with the team’s youthful lineup showing inconsistencies, Oliveira’s late-game heroics highlighted the strength of New England’s developing talent. Revolution players Gevork Diarbian and Liam Butts also played pivotal roles by assisting the winning goal.
This match not only provided a glimpse of the Revolution’s future aspirations—amid plans for a new stadium in Everett—but also underscored the excitement around local soccer rivalries that are beginning to take shape in New England. With a growing professional landscape, matches like this one could help elevate the level and passion of soccer in the region.
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