An outstanding Open-ing in Cup for Revolution

Historic Gil hat trick leads the way in Round of 32 rout

FOXBORO >> Carles Gil recorded an eventful first on a historic night.

Gil, the reigning MVP of MLS, recorded the Revolution’s first hat trick in a U.S. Open Cup game, a 5-1 victory over FC Cincinnati in a round-of-32 match on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.

The Revolution improved to 22-17-5 and 145-3 at home in the 107th edition of the U.S. Cup, the oldest soccer competition in the United States. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Adam Buksa netted a pair of goals while Brandon Bye had two assists. The Revolution enjoyed their season high for goals in a game and resume MLS play on Sunday (1:30) at Atlanta United.

“We needed a win like this,” said Gil. “We needed a game scoring goals and now we have four more games to win a trophy in this competition and in MLS we will try to win Sunday in Atlanta.”

Revs’ coach Bruce Arena made limited alterations to the starting 11 that battled the Columbus Crew to a 2-2 draw at Gillette on May 7 with a notable change at keeper. Rookie Djordje Petrovic, 22, of Serbia made his debut with the Revolution’s first team in place of Matt Turner.

“The goalkeeper really had no action but I think it is important to get him on the field and getting experience,” said Arena.

FC Cincinnati opened the scoring in the 12th minute by exploiting a breakdown in the Revolution’s

back end. Midfielder Haris Medunjanin led the break and fed forward Alvaro Barreal, who got behind center backs Henry Kessler and Andrew Farrell.

Barreal advanced unchallenged into the scoring area and kicked it past Petrovic for his first of the season.

The Revolution tied the game 1-1 on a penalty kick by Gil in the 34th minute. Gil was awarded the freebie when Cincinnati defender Nico Bailey staged a blindside takedown on Arnor Traustason in the penalty area.

Gil put the Revs up 2-1 on a nice collaboration in the 37th minute. Bye found a seam on the right flank and fed Tommy McNamara in the middle of the box. McNamara made a back pass to Gil, who fired a high shot that beat Cincinnati keeper Kenneth Vermeer to the crossbar. Gil passed Buksa for the team high with five goals.

“We were fortunate to get the penalty and the second goal,” said Arena. “If we went into halftime 1-0, I think it would have been a really challenging second half.”

Buksa regained a share of the club goal-scoring lead on a pinpoint header in the 47th minute. Bye lofted an arching cross into the penalty area that Buksa redirected under the crossbar.

Gil went one up on Buksa with his third on a gift pass from Bye in the 53rd minute to make it 4-1.

“After the first goal we started to play good and the first 15 minutes of the second half, we finished our chances and it made a difference,” said Gil.

Buksa drew even on an assist from Gil in the 68th minute. Buksa pivoted at the top of the box and fired the ball inside the far post. Both players have six goals on the season.