FOXBOROUGH — The New England Revolution exploded on offense and locked down on defense on Thursday against Club Atlético Independiente de La Chorrera (CAI) to advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.
Goals from Nacho Gil, Tomás Chancalay and Mark-Anthony Kaye led New England to victory, 3-0, in the team’s second leg matchup with the reigning league champions from Panama. The Revolution won 4-0 on aggregate.
New England will play two-time tournament champions Liga Deportiva Alajuelense from Costa Rica in the first leg of the Round of 16 at Gillette Stadium on March 6. New England’s next league game is on Sunday against Toronto FC.
Before turning attention to this weekend’s game, here are the biggest takeaways from the Revolution’s second leg victory on Thursday.
Esmir Bajraktarević is a young, fun player to watch
Esmir Bajraktarević looked like he was having a lot of fun on the pitch Thursday night.
The eighteen-year old nutmegged a handful of CAI players, kick-started attacks and ultimately finished the game with an assist.
Bajraktarević took off down the right wing in the 57th minute, flew past CAI’s back line and sent a pass in front of the net to Chancalay who slotted the ball into the back of the net to put the Revolution ahead, 2-0.
“I think everybody sees his talent,” New England coach Caleb Porter said about Bajraktarević. “He’s a special player. Very dynamic. Case in point was the goal he created when he first came on. He’s just dynamic, can run behind the line and is individually very gifted. Huge potential.”
Giacomo Vrioni had a bounce back performance
Giacomo Vrioni was not having a good start to the season coming into Thursday’s game.
Vrioni received a second yellow card in the 25th minute of the Revolution’s league game against DC United on Feb. 24, leaving New England with 10 men for most of the game. The Revolution went on to lose the game, 3-1.
But the Italian international got back on track with his performance on Thursday.
Vrioni put in his first-ever 90-minute performance for New England, played a part in setting up Nacho Gil’s goal in the first half and assisted on a goal from Kaye in the game’s final minutes to put a stamp on New England’s victory.
Vrioni would have had another assist in the second half, but the eventual goal from Emmanuel Boateng was called back for offside.
In the 19th minute, Vrioni received a through ball into the middle of CAI’s penalty box and appeared to have a chance for a shot on goal, but went down after some pressure at his back from a CAI defender.
Vrioni was ultimately given a yellow card for simulation, also known as diving, on the play.
“In my opinion, it’s a penalty (on CAI),” Porter said about the play. “I don’t know how they think it’s simulation to be honest with you.”
Vrioni also received a yellow card during the round’s first leg. With his yellow card on Thursday, he will be unavailable for the first leg of New England’s Round of 16 matchup. Porter said postgame that he will see if the team can appeal the ruling.
The Gil connection is strong
The Revolution’s first goal looked like something out of the Gils’ backyard in Spain.
In the game’s ninth minute, Vrioni passed the ball up the middle of the pitch to Carles Gil at the top of CAI’s penalty box. Gil then dropped off a one-touch pass to his brother, Nacho, who then pushed the ball forward and rifled a shot into the back of the net to put New England ahead, 2-0, on aggregate.
For his efforts, Nacho Gil was named the Player of the Match. The goal was Nacho Gil’s first as a member of the Revolution.
Competition is brewing at key positions
With Henry Kessler coming back from injury and Bajraktarević forcing his way onto the field, competition for playing time is heating up all over New England’s starting eleven.
And that’s just how Porter likes it.
“That’s what I want,” Porter said after the match. “I want tough decisions at every position. … You saw (Andrew) Farrell at right back. He was very solid there and solid at center back as well. Now with Kessler coming back, we will have competition at center and right back, and with (Ian) Harkes doing well at holding midfielder, with Noel (Buck) and (Mark-Anthony) Kaye also being capable. … This is what you want. Start a guy, hope he does well, then when other guys come in you hope they say ‘Hey, don’t forget about me.’”
Ian Harkes made his case to be part of New England’s ideal midfield pairing
Porter said on Wednesday that New England is still looking for the right player to pair with Matt Polster in midfield.
On Thursday, Harkes made his case.
Polster described Harkes on Wednesday as a player that is technical and smart, and he flashed his game IQ on Thursday; coming up with key stops on defense and winning second balls.
“He’s a technical player and a smart player positionally,” Porter said about Harkes. “I thought he gave us what we needed in this game, to give us control of the match. I thought it was our best game in terms of controlling and carrying a game. This idea of dominating the game with the ball, and I thought we did that today.”
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