New England Revolution 4, Montreal Impact 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

It was a night of firsts for the New England Revolution, as two players scored their first goals in MLS in a 4-0 win over 10-man Montreal Impact at Gillette Stadium on Friday.

The Impact went down to 10 men just 14 minutes in, as midfielder Saphir Taider was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Luis Caicedo, catching the Colombian squarely on the shin. Six minutes later, the Revolution went ahead through Teal Bunbury, scoring his second goal in as many matches.

Later in the half, it appeared the rout would be on, as the Revolution drew a penalty. But following Video Review confirming the decision, Diego Fagundez’s attempt from the spot was saved by Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush to keep it a one-goal game.

Defender Andrew Farrell then scored his first career goal in MLS in first-half stoppage time — in his 164th MLS regular season appearance — to put the hosts ahead 2-0 at the break. Fagundez made amends for this penalty save with a goal of his own in the 71st minute and Wilfried Zahibo scored his first MLS goal nine minutes later to put the game well and truly out of reach.

Goals

• 10′ – NE – Teal Bunbury | WATCH
• 45+6′ – NE – Andrew Farrell | WATCH
• 71′ – NE – Diego Fagundez | WATCH
• 80′ – NE – Wilfried Zahibo | WATCH

Three Things 

• THE BIG PICTURE: That makes two games in a row for the Revolution in winning against teams down a man in the first half, but they’re on a four-game unbeaten streak and seem to be finding their footing under Brad Friedel. On the other side, the Impact couldn’t have planned for a red card in the 14th minute, and frankly looked like they could never find their bearings.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The red-card tackle by Taider did indeed warrant an ejection, and clearly made for a lopsided match. One word of warning: Caicedo was fortunately not injured on the play, but the tackle may not be suitable for all to watch, as it was rather stomach-turning.
• MAN OF THE MATCH: Zahibo was clearly looking to shoot on sight and get in the goals in the second half, but the central midfielder took his tally well and played perhaps his best game in MLS to date, shutting down Montreal’s attack in midfield before it truly threatened.

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