New England Revolution snatched all three points in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, edging Charlotte FC 1-0 at Gillette Stadium thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Carles Gil in the 90’+7′.
For long stretches, this Major League Soccer fixture looked destined to finish level. The sides went into the interval at 0-0, and while New England carried a little more of the ball and asked more questions in the final third, Charlotte stayed organized and made life difficult for the home side.
The Revolution finished with 54.8 percent possession, 14 shots and four efforts on target, narrowly shading the territorial battle. Charlotte were hardly passengers, though, posting eight shots, four on target, and five corners in a disciplined away performance that nearly earned them a valuable draw.
The second half grew increasingly combative as the fouls and bookings piled up. Nathan Byrne was shown a yellow card for Charlotte in the 30th minute, before the visitors picked up further cautions through David Schnegg in the 57th minute, Wilfried Zaha in the 60th minute and Ashley Westwood in the 82nd minute. New England’s William Sands entered the book in the 51st minute, while Mamadou Fofana was cautioned in the 61st minute.
As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time, the decisive moment finally arrived. Gil, New England’s creative fulcrum, kept his composure from the spot and converted the winning penalty in the 90’+7′, breaking Charlotte hearts and sending Gillette Stadium into celebration.
There was still time for one final flashpoint, with Gil booked in the 90’+8′ after scoring the winner, but the damage had already been done. Charlotte pushed through an extended final stretch that reached 90’+11′, yet the Revolution held firm to secure the clean sheet.
It was not a fluent attacking exhibition, but it was a result built on patience and persistence from New England. When clear chances were scarce, Gil provided the decisive touch. For Charlotte, this was a stubborn and competitive display undone by the thinnest of margins right at the death.
Goal scorer: Carles Gil (90’+7′ pen).
