Freese and Sands Rescue the Pigeons
Updated: Aug 24
August 23, 2026 Gillette Stadium, Foxborogh, MA
New York City FC rallied to secure a tough 1-1 road draw against the New England Revolution. Goalkeeper Matt Freese kept NYCFC in the game with an incredible double penalty save, while James Sands scored the crucial equalizing goal in first-half stoppage time.
NYCFC was back on the road facing New England Revolution in front of 30,055 spectators at Gillette Stadium. Both sides came into the match looking for a much-needed victory after only recording one victory in their last five contests. The match started positively for New England as they generated numerous chances but were unable to open the scoring. In the 25th minutes James Sands would drag down New England's Peyton Miller in the penalty box on a late tackle attempt as the speedy Miller was in on goal. Matt Freese would make a huge double-save on Carles Gil's penalty kick to keep the match scoreless. However, in the 36th minute New England would break the deadlock with Dor Turgeman slotting home a left-footed first time finish, following a nice passing sequence by Peyton Miller and former NYCFC player Jack Harrison. Looking to get back in the match Pascal Jansen made two tactical moves in the 40nd minute, bringing on Mitja Ilenič and Keaton Parks in place of Tayvon Gray and Jonathan Shore. Right before the break, James Sands would make a goal-line clearance to deny New England a second goal. On the ensuing sequence New York would win a corner kick. Nicolás Fernández Mercau would deliver the ball deep toward the back post. Forward Talles Magno, would be left unmarked by the New England Revolution defense, would rise to meet the ball and head it back into a dangerous position in front of the net. Sands would react quickly to the headed pass, firing a precise first-time shot past goalkeeper Matt Turner to bring New York City FC level at 1-1 a the half.
The second half of the match at Gillette Stadium turned into an intense, back-and-forth battle of missed opportunities and stellar goalkeeping between the two USA national team keepers. New England goalkeeper Matt Turner was a wall for the home side, denying a powerful volley from Keaton Parks in the 64th minute and laying out for a crucial diving stop against Nicolás Fernández Mercau just moments later. The Pigeons looked dangerous in transition; substitute forward Luighi missed a tight-angled rebound following a parried save, and Agustín Ojeda sent a blistering low cross through the six-yard box that narrowly escaped the trailing foot of Kevin O'Toole. Deep in the 87th minute, New York City FC defender Raúl Gustavo came up with a phenomenal sliding clearance to deny New England's Wilson Harris a point-blank tap-in right in front of the net. In the end, although both teams seemed determined to look for a winner, the match would end in a 1-1 deadlock.
With the draw NYCFC ended its three match losing streak in all competions, while New England had to settle for a point, as they remain in fourth position in the eastern conference. NYCFC is currently seventh in the eastern conference and will look to get a result on the weekend as they face Toronto FC north of the border. With a full week of rest, the team can fully prepare for a key match as they look to move up the standings.
New England Revolution 1 - 1 New York City FC
New England Revolution (4-3-3): Matt Turner; Matt Polster, Ethan Kohler, Mamadou Fofana, Will Sands; Jackson Yueill, Carles Gil, Alhassan Yusuf; Jack Harrison, Dor Turgeman, Peyton Miller
New England Revolution Subs
⏱️ 64' | Judah Siqueira subbed on for Jackson Yueill
⏱️ 70' | Cody Baker subbed on for Matt Polster
⏱️ 81' | Wilson Harris subbed on for Dor Turgeman
⏱️ 81' | Diego Fagúndez subbed on for Jack Harrison
Unused Subs: Tanner Beason, Griffin Yow, Marcos Zambrano, Donovan Parisian, Andrew Farrell.
New York City FC (4-3-3): Matt Freese; Tayvon Gray, Nico Cavallo, Nicolás Fernández, Max Murray; James Sands, Jonathan Shore, Andrés Perea; Agustín Ojeda, Talles Magno, Bénie Traoré
New York City FC Subs
⏱️ 40' | Mitja Ilenič subbed on for Tayvon Gray (Tactical / Injury)
⏱️ 40' | Keaton Parks subbed on for Jonathan Shore (Tactical)
⏱️ 46' | Luighi subbed on for Talles Magno
⏱️ 67' | Raul Gustavo subbed on for Andrés Perea
⏱️ 68' | Kevin O'Toole subbed on for Bénie Traoré
Unused Subs: Kevin Pierre, Greg Ranjitsingh, Tomás Romero, Malachi Jones.
Scoring Timeline
⚽ 36' — Dor Turgeman (New England Revolution) opened the scoring with a right-footed shot, assisted by Peyton Miller and Jack Harrison.
⚽ 45' +1' — James Sands (New York City FC) equalized just before halftime with a header from a corner kick, assisted by Talles Magno.
Match Statistics:
Possession: NER 52% - 48% NYCFC
Total Shots: NER 10 - 12 NYCFC
Shots on Goal: NER 7 - 6 NYCFC
Fouls: NER 6 - 11 NYCFC
Save: NER 5 - 5 NYCFC
Corners: NER 6 - 4 NYCFC
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