Our Revs fell short again. Post-game quotes mention a missing or lack of “sharpness” three times. Our recent streak of almost-more-than-potential, not losing for 5 games in a row ended Saturday against Toronto. This busy week of Saturday, Wednesday, and Saturday games has brought us two losses as we head into the third game. The consecutive losses to Toronto and Montreal featured both coaching decisions that seem a bit off the mark and underwhelming player performances. There is lots of room for improvement and the time to stay relevant in a playoff discussion is dwindling. Up next, our Revolution head to Kansas City.
Against Toronto last Saturday it seemed that Coach Heaps had a substitute plan in mind before the game started. When Stephen McCarthy went down after cracking his head against Ryan Johnson the plan had to change. Maybe the plan was for Shalrie to be the first guy off the bench, probably in the second half. Shalrie’s need to immediately adjust was cited as contributing to TFC’s breakthrough goal. Darrius Barnes was on the bench and he earned the start Wednesday in Montreal – in hindsight he might have been a better choice off the bench? Not really worth it to bring up? That’s likely, but then I’m not suggesting that Barnes would have done better as much as expressing confusion about why Heaps selected Shalrie in that situation.
So, what about Wednesday in Montreal? Clyde Simms seemed only guy stringing together passes against the Impact, then he was taken out for Brettschnieder. Brettschnieder has recently come to personify our difficulty finishing scoring chances. Blake is a second year pro and so he might deserve some patience, but they’re all pros and he isn’t alone in coming up dull at the sharp end of our offense. Saer Sene also has to do better when he attracts two and three defenders – find the open man or turn back and keep the ball. Sene does this sometimes and other times seems to force the issue. Lee Nguyen has done his best to try to carry the offense, for better or worse, while other players have faded from influence. We’ll need more from everyone on offense, and more from our coaches’ choices of subs to start pulling down wins.
This Saturday New England travels to Kansas City to take on Sporting. SKC may have been the first team to clearly show that a little extra oomph in the physical defending and pressing against our New England team will knock us off track. The early red card to Stephen McCarthy was really the only storyline in that game. Improving on that performance could still see us fall short of victory. I hope to see agressive attacking from the Revs, coupled with valuing the ball and holding possession for a good shot on goal. “On goal” might be the most important part of what our Revs need to improve. I’m not too impatient for more than ‘improvement’ because we have already come so far this season, but I do worry about frustration and the fatigue of losing streaks – see the Revs 2011 season for an example of how extended frustration can turn out.
With only a single win in 9 away games New England certainly faces a steep challenge against conference leading SKC who have won 6 out of 9 at home. Hear our discussion with Jay Sparks, Total-MLS.com writer for Sporting KC, on #TRAP, The Rebel Alliance Podcast. Jay describes the available options SKC has and I suspect Peter Vermes will select to pound the Revs rather than trying to run us into the ground. I do think we might catch SKC tired and looking past us if the Revs play a good game. It is hard to tell what kind of game New England will play this weekend. A draw on the road against a contender would be a good result. This game will certainly require scoring and the determination to fight until the end.
(image courtesy of revolutionsoccer.net)
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