Revolution Down Pumas 3-0 In Champions League Quarters
FOXBORO (CBS/New England Revolution) -- The New England Revolution defeated Pumas UNAM, 3-0, in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium. Sebastian Lletget opened the scoring in the first half and Adam Buksa notched a pair of second-half goals to secure the three-goal advantage heading into next Wednesday's second leg match in Mexico City.
Lletget opened the scoring in the 19th minute, his second goal in three games with New England, to give the Revolution an early lead. Carles Gil notched the assist, his third consecutive game on the scoresheet to open 2022, as New England improved to 23-0-8 across all competitions when Gil records an assist.
Buksa, who recorded a team-high eight shots with four on target, extended New England's lead in the 72nd minute, taking advantage of a deflection from Alfredo Talavera's save on the forward's initial shot. On the third goal, the Polish striker combined with Gil, who recorded eight chances created on the night, to tack on the third goal for New England in second-half stoppage time.
New England head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena spoke of the importance of that late tally after the match.
"It's very important. This is a 180-minute game, basically, and away goals count," said Arena. "It was important to score goals, as well as not concede any, so we can go to Mexico City with a little bit of a cushion, but it's not going to be easy."
Earl Edwards Jr., making his third consecutive start to begin the season for New England, recorded three saves to pick up his second straight clean sheet. Edwards Jr. was aided by New England's center back pairing of Andrew Farrell and Omar Gonzalez. Farrell made his 300th appearance for New England across all competitions, third most in club history, while Gonzalez surpassed 2,500 career minutes in Concacaf Champions League play.
The Revolution will carry the three-goal advantage into the second leg of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals next Wednesday, March 16, in Mexico City.
