Ronald Arevalo runs the show in NYCFC II's 6-2 win

New York City FC II downed New England Revolution II in a thrilling 6-2 victory that secured the first MLS NEXT Pro win of the season for the team. Multiple Player of the Match performances led the Baby Blues to overcome an early deficit and gave the club a clean sweep of the Revs in both MLS and MLSNextPro this past weekend. 

First responders

New England began the game hot, dominating the opening exchanges. NYCFC II keeper Alex Rando denied the first shot of the game through an excellent low-diving save. However, a poor giveaway from New York City defender Matthew Leong in the eighth minute allowed the Revs to counter down the right wing. With acres of space, Revs attacker Gevork Diarbian easily found Jack Panayotou who slotted the ball past a diving Rando into the left corner of the net to give the visitors a one-goal lead.

It didn’t last long. Just three minutes later, 16-year-old midfielder Maximo Carrizo played striker Taylor Calheira out wide. Calheira’s cross was volleyed into the net by 22-year-old JJ Jimenez for a quick equalizer.

Five minutes later, Jimenez gave the Baby Blues the lead through a similar goal. This time Carrizo delivered the cross from the right wing, which Jimenez met with his head. The Baby Blues jumped ahead 2-1 just eight minutes after giving up the opening goal.

The game’s early frenzy slowed down until the 32nd minute, when 20-year-old winger Ronald Arevalo picked the ball up in his half, and drove the length of the field and into the Revs box before feeding Carrizo, who then cut on his left and delivered a bending beauty of a strike. The youngsters combined to give the Baby Blues a 3-1 lead.

At the half, NYCFC II held 57% possession with nine shots, four on target compared to six shots, and four on target for the Revolution II. Arevalo and Carrizo ran the show in the half, with Jimenez proving lethal up top.

3 goals in 14 minutes

The second half was fairly even at first, with the Revolution pushing to get back into the game. Their efforts failed to result in anything meaningful until the 67th minute, when two failed NYCFC II clearances allowed New England to recover the ball. A through ball was played to Diarbian, who easily slotted the ball bottom right to bring the score to 3-2.

It took NYCFC II only five minutes to respond. Rando’s long ball found Arevalo in acres of space on the right wing. Arevalo’s low cross fed Calheria in the middle of the box whose deflected shot found the back of the net to restore the two-goal lead.

Seven minutes later, Arevalo and Calheira combined again for NYCFC’s fifth. On the right wing, Arevalo played a flat ball to Calheira who in turn fed a low cross that gave second-half substitute Jonathan Shore an easy tap-in. 

In the 85th minute, with the win secured, NYCFC II were given a penalty. JJ Jimenez, who was on a brace, unselfishly handed the ball to Arevalo. The midfielder slotted the penalty bottom left to cap off Player of the Match performance — and a 9.5 rating from FotMob.

Teamwork makes the dream work

There were many top performances in this match as Jiminez scored twice, Calheira had one goal and two assists, Carrizo had one goal and an assist, and Arevalo had one goal and two assists. 

Arevalo, who in previous matches only came on from the bench, ran the show all evening. His motor on both offense and defense was impressive, as he was behind everything that went well for the Baby Blues. The midfielder had a standout night that showcased his talent and potential.

NYCFC II will now focus on facing Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship on Wednesday, April 17, in the Third Round of the US Open Cup. The Baby Blues are just one of three MLSNP teams left in the tournament.