Revolution win, end four-game drought

The New England Revolution battled their way off skid row.

The Revolution snapped a four-game MLS losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC on a soggy pitch before 15,244 hardy fans on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution (2-4-1) resume MLS play next Saturday at D.C. United.

“I thought we would win another game at some point and I’m happy it was tonight rather than a month down the road,” said Revolution coach Bruce Arena. “Winning is important to teams and I think the guys will respond well as we go to D.C.”

The Revolution’s offense was upgraded with the return of striker Adam Buksa, the team’s leading goal scorer and Gold Boot Award winner in 2021. Buksa missed last Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Inter-Miami after picking up a red card in the loss to the New York Red Bulls at Gillette on April 2.

Buksa made up for the downtime when he put the Revolution up 1-0 in the eighth minute. Matt Polster set the play in motion with a cross to Brandon Bye on the right flank.

Bye lofted a rainbow into the penalty area and Buksa headed the ball by Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina for his first of the season. Polster picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute and was denied by Kahlina on a superb scoring opportunity in the 34th minute

“We wanted to start very fast and press hard at all times,” said Buksa. “It worked out because we scored an early goal and that kind of set the tone. We definitely played better than the last few games.”

The Revolution went up 2-0 on a set piece in the 72nd minute. Sebastian Lletget controlled the free kick and the ball at the Charlotte cage. Kahlina made the initial stop on Lletget, but Polster potted the rebound for his first of the season.

Revolution keeper Brad Knighton lost his clean sheet when scored in the 85th minute.