Carles Gil‘s penalty kick lifted manager Bruce Arena into sole possession of first place on the all-time MLS wins list and the New England Revolution to a 1-0 victory over visiting FC Dallas in Foxborough, Mass., on Saturday afternoon.
Gil’s first goal of the season shortly before halftime gave Arena his 241st career regular-season victory, pushing him past the late Sigi Schmid.
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It was Arena’s third attempt at the milestone after a season-ending loss to Miami last year and a draw in Portland last week. The Revs’ coach is already the league’s most decorated in terms of titles with five MLS Cups and four Supporters’ Shields.
Earl Edwards Jr. made one save for New England (1-1-0, 4 points) to preserve his first MLS shutout in eight career starts while filling in for injured United States international Matt Turner.
Center back Omar Gonzalez made his New England debut, entering at halftime for the injured Henry Kessler.
FC Dallas (0-1-1, 1 point) failed to generate many chances. They’ve now gone 171 minutes since their first and only goal of the season, a ninth-minute tally from Jader Obrian in a 1-1 home draw against Toronto in Week 1.
Gil gave the Revs the lead in first-half stoppage time on a penalty he created himself. Gustavo Bou had his initial dribble into the penalty area cleared by a Dallas defender, but Gil was first to the loose ball and went down soon after reaching it under a challenge from Paxton Pomykal.
Referee Ted Unkel initially ruled Pomykal reached the ball, but reversed his decision and pointed to the spot following a video review. Gil stepped up and smashed his finish beyond Maarten Paes‘ dive and inside the right post.
Bou and Gil each had chances inside the final 20 minutes to seal the game. Gil directed a rebound straight at Paes after he spilled Bou’s first shot in the 74th minute. Then in the 80th, Bou side-footed a volley wide of the near post off Gil’s cross.
Dallas’ best opportunity might have come in second-half stoppage time, when Paul Arriola‘s cross found Nanu at the back post only for the fullback to volley his effort so wide of the target it didn’t even land out of play.