KENNESAW, G.A. – New England Revolution II (1-0-0, 3 pts.) opened its 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 3-2 win over Atlanta United 2 (0-1-0, 0 pts.) on Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Midfielder Jake Rozhansky caused an own goal off a cross and went on to score another tally later in the match, while 15-year-old Revolution Academy defender Peyton Miller logged the full 90 minutes. Miller became the youngest player in team history to make his professional debut with Revolution II.
“I was definitely excited stepping onto the field, and I was nervous, but those nerves went away as soon as the whistle blew," Miller said. "It was great to play in front of all those fans and get the victory.”
New England found the scoresheet first as Rozhansky sent a cross in following a corner kick and the ball deflected off Atlanta’s Aiden McFadden to give Revolution II a 1-0 lead at halftime.
“I thought the guys really worked hard. We were committed to how we wanted to play, sticking to our identity, and that was a good result for us," Head Coach Clint Peay stated. "I thought it was deserved, and just proud of the effort because it’s difficult coming down from the Northeast early in the season where there’s a little bit more heat and we asked a lot of the guys and I thought they fought through until the end.”
Rozhansky doubled New England’s lead in the 52nd minute, sailing the ball in from outside of the box to the top left corner of the net, securing the defensive midfielder’s first goal with Revolution II. Cayet added to the scoring in the 60th minute, heading home a corner to seal the game-winner and the first three points of the 2023 season.
“It was a great win. I think we could have solidified this game earlier at 3-0," Rozhansky said of the team's performance. "I think we should have kept it there, but it's lessons to learn from, and it's a good start this season, so we got to keep going.”
New England returns to action on Sunday, April 2 as Revolution II kicks off its home slate by hosting New York City FC II at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. with the match streaming live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
New England Revolution II 3, Atlanta United 2 2
March 26, 2023 – Fifth Third Bank Stadium (Kennesaw, G.A.)
- With the win, Revolution II has earned points in all four of their season openers since the team’s inaugural season in 2020.
- Head Coach Clint Peay earned his 25th career victory with New England.
- At 15 years and 138 days old, Revolution Academy’s Peyton Miller (2007 – Unionville, Conn.) became the youngest player in team history to start with Revolution II and logged the full 90.
- Alongside Miller, Nico Campuzano, Santiago Suarez, Victor Souza, Noble Okello, Josh Bolma, Nakye Greenidge-Duncan, and Jordan Adebayo-Smith all made their Revolution II debuts.
- Revolution II captain Jake Rozhansky scored the first goal of his Revolution II career in the 52nd minute after causing Atlanta’s own goal to open the scoring in the first half.
- Defender Pierre Cayet tallied his first goal of the season, heading the ball in off a corner kick in the 60th minute for the game-winner.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Luis Guardia
Assistant Referees: Ryan Starr, Austin Holt
Fourth Official: Joshua Belk
Weather: 70 and cloudy
Scoring Summary:
NE – Aidan McFadden (Own Goal) 37’
NE – Jake Rozhansky 52’
NE – Pierre Cayet 60’
ATL – Raimar 84’
ATL – Nick Firmino (PK) 90’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Jake Rozhansky 45’
NE - Jordan Adebayo-Smith 55'
New England Revolution II: Nico Campuzano; Peyton Miller, Santiago Suarez (Colby Quinones 61’), Pierre Cayet, Victor Souza; Damian Rivera (Josh Bolma 46’), Noble Okello, Jake Rozhansky (Ben Awashie 72’); Marcos Dias, Malcolm Fry (Nakye Greenidge-Duncan 82’), Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Weverton 61’).
Substitutes Not Used: Max Weinstein, Jacob Akanyirige, Brandonn Bueno.
Atlanta United 2: Vicente Reyes; Aidan McFadden, Fuad Adeniyi, Efrain Morales (Kofi Twumasi 70’), Tyler Young; Andrew Carleton, Nick Firmino, Ajani Fortune; Jonanatan Villal, David Mejia (Erik Centeno 62’), Luke Brennan (Raimar 79’).
Substitutes Not Used: Mathieu Brick, Andrew de Gannes, Sebastián Guerra Navarro, Toni Tiente, Emenike Nwogu.
