The Revolution started the game without captain Carles Gil, and played more than 30 minutes with a numerical disadvantage in falling, 2-1, to the New York Red Bulls Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.
Despite competing at less than full strength, the visiting Revolution (10-4-7, 37 points) rallied on a Brandon Bye header and had a chance to tie the score in added time before a goal was disallowed after a VAR review.
Frankie Amaya opened the scoring with a 59th-minute header off a Dante Vanzeir cross as the Red Bulls (6-7-8, 26 points) capitalized on an Esmir Bajraktarevic turnover. A minute later, Latif Blessing was red-carded after fouling Amaya in the center circle and will be suspended for the Revolution’s home match against Atlanta United on Wednesday.
Sporting director/coach Bruce Arena went with a quadruple substitution in the 68th minute, with Ian Harkes making his Revolution debut. The Revolution seemed refreshed by the replacements, and Bye equalized with a 76th-minute header off a Gustavo Bou corner kick. The sequence was set up when Ryan Spaulding was fouled by Cameron Harper, who was cautioned, and Bou’s free kick went for a corner.
The Revolution appeared set to hold off the Red Bulls, who were issued three cautions from the 74th through 82nd minutes.
Djordje Petrovic, who made a diving save on an Andres Reyes deflected header in the first half, batted away another Reyes header in the 82d minute, leading to a Revolution breakaway.
But the Revolution lost possession near the center circle after Petrovic rolled out to Matt Polster, and substitute Wikelman Carmona broke the deadlock with a shot deflected by Harkes just under the bar in the 85th minute.
In the third minute of added time, Andrew Farrell appeared to equalize with a low one-timer off the inside of the left post, but the score was disallowed for offsides two minutes later, following a VAR review.
The Red Bulls signaled their intention to play hyper-aggressively as Reyes fouled Bobby Wood within the first 30 seconds of play. The Red Bulls attempted to capitalize on quickly taken dead-ball situations and high pressing. The Revolution struggled to play out of the back against the Red Bulls’ high-energy approach.
Observations from Saturday’s game:
Defining moment: Farrell’s disallowed score was the third of the Revolution season: the others by Dylan Borrero in a 1-1 tie with Atlanta United and Noel Buck in a 2-1 loss to Inter Miami. The Revolution made a spirited comeback, rallying to tie the score and appearing to score again during stoppage time.
Difference-maker: Video Assistant Referee. Arena said Farrell’s drive was deflected, negating Giacomo Vrioni being in an offside position. In any case, if Vrioni interfered with Carlos Coronel’s vision, there was no chance to stop the shot, which, thanks partly to a deflection, was perfectly placed.
Tactical: Arena went with a 4-4-2 formation, and had the Revolution in attack mode, which paid off as they were able to rally.
Statistical analysis: The Revolution struggled to escape the Red Bulls’ pressure, making several turnovers: but the only costly ones were unforced errors, imprecise touches by Bajraktarevic and Polster leading to both goals. The Red Bulls won the shooting contest, 22-6. But the Revolution had chances in the run of play, the best as Bajraktarevic, replacing Gil, missed high (ninth minute) off an Emmanuel Boateng cross.
Road ahead: Gil, suspended after accumulating five cautions, is expected to return against Atlanta United at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday. The Revolution then meet D.C. United at home Saturday.
What they said: “We know how they play, it’s the Red Bulls’ way. Every game we play against them is a tough, physical game. They’re winning second balls and they’re attacking everything. We have to understand that, and it takes a little bit to get into the mindset. I think once we did, we found some of the ball and were able to connect passes.” – Bye
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at frankdellapa@gmail.com.