The New England Revolution defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-0 Saturday night in front of a meager crowd to improve to 2-0-0 to begin the 2023 season. Goals from Dylan Borrero, Bobby Wood and Brandon Bye were more than enough to seal the 3 points for the victors. The day started with snow, rain and wind in Massachusetts, however the precipitation and wind gave way making it a delightful but cold New England evening. Head Coach Bruce Arena made 2 noticeable personnel changes and a formation change which impacted the outcome of the match. Bobby Wood came in the starting 11 to replace Giacomo Vrioni, and Latif Blessing earned the start over Damian Rivera. With these replacements Arena decided to change formations from game 1 to game 2. In Matchday 1 New England lineup up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Last night the boys in blue came out in a 4-4-2 diamond midfield. The back 4 remained the same from left to right with Dejuan Jones, Dave Romney, Henry Kessler and Brandon Bye providing the last resistance in front of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. The middle of the park is where the biggest change occured with Matt Polster providing cover for the back 4 while Noel Buck and Latif Blessing lined up at left and right mid respectively. Capi himself Carles Gil played the tip of the diamond in his usual center attacking mid role. The 2 forwards were Colombian international Dylan Borrero and former USMNT player Bobby Wood. Dylan Borrero opened the scoring with a finish off a give and go between Gil and Bye, with Brandon Bye serving in a ball on the ground placed perfectly to the middle of 18 yard box. Borrero ran onto the ball and slotted home the first goal at Gillette Stadium for the 2023 season. New England's second goal came from a sublime through ball from Carles Gil to Dejuan Jones. Jones then put in a low left footed cross to Bobby Wood who was able to turn the pass into the back of the net giving New England a 2-0 lead. The 3rd and final goal came from Brandon Bye. After a twisting and turning move from Dylan Borrero from the left wing spot Borrero delivered another cross to Bye who calmly settled the ball and beat Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark at the near post. For New England it's the first time in club history that they won their first 2 games to begin the season. Houston dropped to 0 wins with 2 losses to start the 2023 season. New England travels to LAFC next Sunday night, while the Dynamo have a bye week and face Austin FC March 18.
Opinion......New England has looked very solid in the back with new edition Dave Romney fitting in seamlessly with Henry Kessler. The Revs have been a bit sloppy in possession at times and will need to clean that up if they want to push forward. Charlotte and Houston are good wins for New England to start 2023, but both of those teams have started extremely slow and shouldn't be a barometer for how the season will play out.
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