Carles Gil scored the lone goal in the 77th minute as New England handed Charlotte FC their first home loss of the season, 1-0 on Saturday night.
After a slow start to the season, the Revolution (4-4-1, 13 points) have won three straight — all without conceding a goal.
Gil, who leads the Revolution with four goals, drove down the right side before cutting onto his left and firing a shot from just on the edge of the 18-yard box that beat a diving Kristijan Kahlina in goal. There was a brief protest by Charlotte (6-3-1, 19 points) that a Revolution player was in an offside position, but the goal stood.
Charlotte FC striker Idan Toklomati nearly brought the hosts level in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, but his header from inside the 6-yard box went wide.
Charlotte star Pep Biel left the match in the 65th minute with an apparent right leg injury.
Biel, who leads MLS with six assists and nine goal contributions, had extended for a header in the 63rd minute just outside the 6-yard box. Biel sent his chance over the cross bar and then immediately motioned for a substitute. After a slight delay for medical attention, Biel, who could be seen grabbing the back of his right leg, was replaced by Eryk Williamson.
Biel had recorded a goal contribution in each of Charlotte’s first five home games this season.
Charlotte had the majority of the possession and held an 18-7 advantage in shots but managed just four on target in being shutout at home for the first time in six games.
Wilfried Zaha and Patrick Agyemang each got off three shots but only forced Revs goalie Aljaz Ivacic into making four saves.
New England striker Ignatius Ganago looked to have put the visitors ahead earlier in the second half on a calm finish inside the box after a flick pass from Gil, but his goal in the 58th minute was ruled offside by the assistant referee.
US international Tim Ream returned to Dean Smith’s starting lineup as a defender after entering as a first-half substitute in Charlotte’s 3-0 win over San Diego FC on April 19.
–Field Level Media
