Freese's heroics, Sands' late first-half equalizer earn NYCFC 1-1 draw at New England

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Matt Freese delivered a series of saves, including a penalty stop, and James Sands scored in first-half stoppage time as New York City FC earned a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Freese, who started for the U.S. men's national team over Revolution keeper Matt Turner at the World Cup, was the difference-maker, making six saves according to the Boston Herald, while Yardbarker credited him with five. Turner came through with four stops on the other end.

Freese's first-half masterclass

The goaltending of Freese, who played at Harvard, was the story of the first half. According to the Boston Herald, he denied Peyton Miller on a terrific chance in the 25th minute, but a New York defender took Miller down in the box just after the kick, and the referees awarded the Revolution a penalty kick.

Freese stopped Carles Gil's penalty with a dive to his left, then lunged with his arm extended to deny Gil's rebound attempt. The Boston Herald reported that Freese, who started four of the U.S.'s five matches in the 2026 World Cup, while Turner played in the group-stage finale against Turkey, received help from his defense in the 33rd minute when James Sands cleared a ball off the goal line after a Miller chip.

The Revolution finally broke through in the 36th minute. Jack Harrison played a ball to the back post for Miller, who centered it to Dor Turgeman for the goal and a 1-0 lead. Yardbarker noted that Diego Fagundez was the primary creator on the play, cutting back to elude a defender before playing to Miller, who poked the ball to Turgeman for a first-time finish.

Sands strikes before the break

Sands pulled NYCFC level in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau sent a corner to the back corner of the six-yard box, where Talles Magno met it with a downward header that Sands stabbed home with an outstretched leg.

The draw halted New York City's four-match losing streak across all competitions. NYCFC (7-8-6, 27 points) moved a point above the New York Red Bulls for sole possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference, as reported by Yardbarker.

The Revolution (10-7-4, 34 points) failed to win consecutive matches for the first time since early May and remained fourth in the East, two points behind Chicago. Turgeman's goal was his fifth of the season, tying him with Alhassan Yusuf for the second-most by a Revolution player. Miller's assist was a career-best third in his third season, according to Yardbarker.

Up next

The Revolution begin a four-game road trip next Saturday against Columbus. NYCFC travel to Toronto FC the same day.