FRISCO, Texas – The New England Revolution Academy Under-19s advanced to the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup Final, the team’s second consecutive year in the Under-19 final, on Friday afternoon after defeating FC Dallas 3-0 in the semifinal match. The U-19s will now prepare to take on FC Delco on Sunday at 9 a.m. ET as the squad, coached by former Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton, looks to repeat its championship run from last season. The match will stream live on **MLS Season Pass on Apple TV**.
New England and Dallas played a scoreless first half before the Revs took over in the second 45 minutes. Forward Jason Zacarias (2004 – Billerica, Mass.) found the back of the net in the 47th minute after midfielder Brandonn Bueno (2004 – Framingham, Mass.) sent a cross to Marco Dos Santos (2005 – Methuen, Mass.) who sent the ball back to the left side post where Zacarias was waiting to tap it in.
New England extended its lead in the closing stages with two highlight-reel goals. It started in the 57th minute, off a corner with midfielder Gabriel Chavez (2005 – Wethersfield, Conn.) hitting a bicycle kick just in front of the goal, allowing defender Alexi Karalis (2005 – Belmont, Mass.) to head it in for his first goal of the tournament. Forward Gianluca Armellino (2005 – Plainville, Mass.) sealed the victory in stoppage time with a long-distance tally, sailing the ball into the back of the net from 55 yards out to close out the 3-0 victory.
Goalkeeper Max Weinstein (2004 – Montpelier, V.T.) looks to lead the U-19s to their second consecutive MLS NEXT Cup Championship after earning his second clean sheet of the postseason, following up a 1-0 shutout over Strikers FC and shootout victories over FC Golden State and Players Development Academy earlier in the tournament.
New England Revolution U-19s vs. FC Dallas U-19s
Friday, June 23, 2022 – Toyota Soccer Center (Frisco, Texas)
New England Revolution 3, FC Dallas 0
Scoring Summary:
NE – Jason Zacarias 47’
NE – Alexi Karalis 57’
NE – Gianluca Armellino 90’+5
Revolution U-19s: Max Weinstein; Steban Lopera (Peyton Miller 61’), Jack Burkhardt, Garrett Holman (Alexi Karalis 46’), Alex Parvu; Brandonn Bueno (Olger Escobar 77’), Tyler Flowers, Gabriel Chavez (Ezra Widman 77’); Jason Zacarias (Jack LaBelle 82’), Bryce Flowers (Alex St. John 77’), Marco Dos Santos (Gianluca Armellino 82’).
Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Christensen, Felipe Vieira De Andrade.
