FOXBOROUGH — The Revolution’s designated players found themselves in synch Saturday for one of the few times this season, in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City SC before a crowd of 21,492 at Gillette Stadium.
Gustavo Bou and Carles Gil each scored, and combined to set up two goals as the Revolution (9-3-6, 33 pts.) got their offense in gear in the second half and equaled a team record nine-game home unbeaten streak (6-0-3) to start the season.
Emmanuel Boateng opened the scoring when he finished from the top of the penalty arc in the 51st minute, his second goal of the season. The sequence started as Andrew Farrell moved into the attack on the right wing. Bou was set up by Gil, his cross from the right punched out by Mason Stajduhar, but directly to Boateng.
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Boateng’s score caused Orlando (7-5-5, 26 pts.) to pull out of its defending setup, and the Revolution capitalized via Bou in the 69th minute. With Orlando right back Michael Halliday advanced, the Revolution attacked on his side. Gil laid off to Noel Buck, who found Bou on the right. Bou took two touches past Rafael Santos, then finished left-footed into the left side of the net for his third of the season.
Orlando, which had a six-game unbeaten streak snapped, rallied on substitute Duncan McGuire’s 80th-minute header off a Halliday cross, his fifth goal of the season.
Gil converted his team-leading seventh in the 85th minute off a three-on-two counterattack involving the Revolution’s other DPs — Bou and Giacomo Vrioni. This was only the second time the Revolution’s three DPs have played together this season.
Observations from Saturday’s game:
⋅ Defining moment: The Revolution’s breakthrough for the opener resulted from the team’s all-out attacking style, and changed the dynamic as it caused Orlando to sacrifice defense. Gil and Bou combined to set things up, and Bobby Wood’s near-post run drew the defense, leaving Boateng open to convert.
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⋅ Difference-maker: Bou, who has missed 10 games due to injury and passport problems, provided an effective partner for Gil and also displayed his one-on-one ability on the Revolution’s second goal.
⋅ Tactical: Brandon Bye returned from injury, and the Revolution went back to a 4-4-2 alignment. Bye (muscle tightness) departed after halftime, Farrell moving to right back and Omar Gonzalez pairing with Dave Romney at center back. The Revolution won the battle on the wings, with Bye and Farrell effective on the right and Boateng and DeJuan Jones on the left.
⋅ Statistical analysis: Orlando went on the attack in the second half, finishing with 16 shots for the match. Former Orlando City goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., in for the Revolution with Djordje Petrovic on international duty, anticipated most of those attempts and made a key diving save on Martin Ojeda in the 63rd minute.
The Revolution are off to their third-best start to a season after 18 games, 2 points behind the 2005 team and 4 less than the 2021 team.
⋅ Road ahead: The Revolution conclude a three-game homestand against Toronto FC next Saturday, then will play four of six matches away, starting with a visit to FC Cincinnati July 1.
⋅ What they said: The Revolution are lacking depth — they used only two substitutes — and sporting director/head coach Bruce Arena said the team could add players, roster space opened by the release of striker Jozy Altidore.
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“That was the reason for the decision,” he said, “to open up resources for the summer.”
Arena on the Revolution DPs: “We don’t look at it that way [as DPs]. Those players were involved in the goal. It’s a great finish by Carles, for sure. A good run by Giacomo to open up a little space for Carles.”