Queretaro FC of LIGA MX outscored the New England Revolution 4-2 in penalty kicks in a 1-1 Leagues Cup round of 16 match at on Monday night at Gillette Stadium.
The Revolution bowed out of Leagues Cup play at 2-0-2 and resume MLS play on Aug. 16 Nashville FC. Queretaro advanced to the quarterfinals and will play at either at the Philadelphia Union or Red Bulls New York. Queretaro goalkeeper Fernando Tapia made overtime stops on Nacho Gil and Ian Hawkes to secure the win.
Revolution interim head coach Richie Williams was the field manager of record for the second straight Leagues Cup match. Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena is on indefinite administrative leave pending an investigation my MLS for making “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”
“Everybody is disappointed, we wanted to advance,” said Williams. “We are professional players and professional coaches and every time we step on the field we want to win.”
To accommodate the short turnaround, Williams made significant additions and subtractions to the Starting XI that beat Atlas 2-2 on penalty kicks Thursday night.
All-Star keeper Djordje Petrovic was back between the poles while Ryan Spaulding started at left back in place of Brandon Bye, who tore the ACL in his right knee in the 49th minute against Atlas.
Revolution playmaker and 2021 league MVP Carles Gil took a shot to the knee in the second half against Atlas and did not dress. Forwards Gustavo Bou, who scored both goals against Atlas, and Bobby Wood also did not dress leaving Giacomo Vrioni the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 scheme.
“It is always easier when you have another striker next to you,” said Williams. “We were just running low on strikers because of injuries and I think Giacomo does play better with two forwards.”
Without Carles Gil controlling the flow from the center midfield, the Revolution employed a methodical possession strategy to break down Queretaro but created few credible scoring chances.
Revs’ right back DeJuan Jones was left unmarked in the penalty area on a cross from Vrioni, but his header in the 20th minute bounced high off the crossbar. The Revolution possessed the ball 60% of the time and made 273 passes, but the first half ended scoreless.
Queretaro went up 1-0 on a long-distance collaboration from Pablo Barrera to striker Jamie Gomez in the 46th minute. Barrera gained possession on the right flank and launched a rainbow floater into the penalty area. Gomez got behind center back Dave Romney and headed the ball by Petrovic.
“We didn’t defend it really well,” said Williams. “Overall, it wasn’t a goal that you see that often and guys need to be ready and focused and we lost that concentration.”
The Revolution tied the game on a goal by homegrown substitute player Esmir Bajraktarevic in the 78th minute. Midfielder Matt Polster got possession at the top of the box and found Bajraktarevic unmarked. Bajraktarevic shifted to his left foot and beat Tapia to the far post.
“He made great contribution to come in and score the goal for us,” said Williams. “A young player still coming along and he went in and was competitive and good with the ball.”
