BSJ Match Report: Chelsea 3, Revolution 0 - Over $4 million raised to combat antisemitism while Blues belt Revs

FOXBOROUGH — All you need to know about the Revolution’s 3-0 loss to Chelsea FC in the Final Whistle on Hate friendly match Wednesday night in quickie form, complete with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Barkley, Giroud stake Chelsea out to a 2-0 lead at the half: The West London side jumped out on top, 1-0, thanks to Ross Barkley slotting home his first of a brace from 12 yards away only three minutes into the friendly, thanks to a lazy header by Jalil Anibaba. It stayed that way until the 29th minute, when former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud headed home Davide Zappacosta’s cross beyond Matt Turner. The Blues had two other gilt-edged chances by Pedro in the last three minutes of the first half, but he couldn’t finish. The Revs had some of the ball, but Chelsea’s defense, for the most part, kept New England honest.

Barkley makes it three: Second half sub Gonzalo Higuain — not something heard or written often — had deflected a shot off Barkley’s peg and in; the goal was originally awarded to the Argentinian, off Willian’s corner service, but it was corrected seven minutes later.

Lots of firsts: The following made their 2019 Revs’ debuts Wednesday: Gabriel Somi, Zachary Herivaux, and Nicholas Firmino. Most players received 30 minutes apiece for the Revs — Wilfried Zahibo and Scott Caldwell went the full 90 — while Chelsea played a good portion of its first-choice players for the first half, before removing Eden Hazard, Giroud, and David Luiz at the interval.

Loftus-Cheek plays 20-plus minutes, goes off with an injury: Look away, Chelsea supporters. A rather important cog in the Chelsea attack, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, went down in the 66th minute with what looked like a non-contact heel injury. He did not look comfortable, and he was taken off shortly afterward. Not a good thing for the Blues, especially with the Europa League Final against Arsenal coming up in two weeks. And in perusing the Chelsea hashtag on Twitter, the fandom for the Stamford Bridge club are not too pleased about it.

TWO UP

Tajon Buchanan: The rookie only played 34 minutes before he was subbed out, but we liked what we saw — especially when he managed to dispossess Eden Hazard over on the flank. He also used some tekkers early on the Revs’ first foray forward.

Over 27,000 raise over $4 million to combat antisemitism: The total attendance? 27,329 — and it looked it, given that the seats above the Optum Lounge in the Banner End were full. And the proceeds of the match, of course, go to 15 entities battling antisemitism in the world. There were also donations taken in the parking lot. So good on the New England soccer community for giving to a very good cause.

ONE DOWN

The left side of the Revs defense: It may not be considered fair, given that Chelsea are one of the top teams in England and the Revs are near the bottom of the American first division, and the way the pitch tilted toward the New England goal in both halves obviously showed how well the Blues can possess. But there were a couple of times where CFC sliced through the left. They had difficulties against the right side, especially when Buchanan and Brandon Bye were out there containing Hazard.

TAKE THAT SWEENS MAY REGRET LATER

I said it last September when the Revs played at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC, and I will say it again now: “We’re talking about elite athletes twisting their ankles and pulling ligaments on a crap temp grass set-up.” And now, look what happened to Loftus-Cheek Wednesday night, his status for the Europa Final up in the air now. I’m not complaining about the grass, since it was needed for this match — I’m complaining about the length of time it has been down. You mean to tell me the folks at Gillette couldn’t put in the grass while the Revs were on the road and let it set in before they played San Jose? If I’m a representative of Juventus or Benfica, who come here in July for the International Champions Cup, I’m making sure that the grass isn’t re-installed within a matter of days.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“It’s awesome; you’re playing against one of the top teams in the world, so it was a challenge for us. But it’s always nice to play for a good cause.” — Diego Fagundez

UP NEXT

The Revs will make the trip to Dorval this weekend, as they’ll take on Montreal beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, closing out this brutal stretch of matches for The Boys In Blue.