New England Revolution Secures 2-1 Win Over Philadelphia Union

Carles Gil scored in the 87th minute as the New England Revolution overcame an own goal to remain perfect at home with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night in Foxborough, Mass.

Luca Langoni also scored in the second half for the Revolution (7-3-1, 22 points), who have won their first six home games for the first time in club history.

New England, which has not reached the MLS playoffs in the last two seasons, is also unbeaten in its last seven matches, boasting six wins.

First-year coach Marko Mitrovic has achieved the best start ever for a new coach in the 30-year history of the Revolution.

It was another tough loss for Philadelphia (1-8-3, 6 points), the Supporter’s Shield winner last year for the best record in the MLS, now sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference. The Union opened the season with a club-record six straight losses.

Both teams managed just two shots on goal each. Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner had the game’s lone save.

New England’s win came against its nemesis. Philadelphia had dominated New England in previous meetings, winning the last four encounters and outscoring the Revs 11-1.

In an uneventful first half, there were no shots on goal. The Union took the lead in the 37th minute on a play started by Olivier Mbaizo, who delivered a long ball over the top of the Revolution’s defense.

New England defender Will Sands beat Philadelphia striker Milan Iloski to the ball at the top of the box but inadvertently kicked it just inside the right post past Turner.

In the 61st minute, the Revs found their equalizer. Langoni initiated the play with a corner kick, and after the ball was headed out of the box, Gil gathered it and slipped a pass to Langoni. Langoni drove to his right and fired a curling shot from outside the left side of the box, finding the far post for his second goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.

The game-winner came on a transition play when Dor Turgeman slipped a pass in the middle of the box to Gil, who fired a left-footed shot into the left side of the goal for his fourth goal of the season and first in 17 matches against the Union.