On Friday, January 25, the New England Revolution saw their first action of the preseason when they played Sporting KC to a 0-0 tie. The game, which was not available to view, provides Revs fans with plenty of talking points.
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Alston Moves to the Left
During the first thirty minute period, Kevin Alston was deployed on the left side of the defense. This is not a completely foreign position to the fourth-year pro since he played there for the final nine games of the 2012 season and while he was at Indiana University.
Last year, head coach Jay Heaps commented that he liked what Alston brought to the left side. Alston, who is naturally left footed, would often drift towards the center when on the right. In his new position, Alston was able to give the team more width while having greater ball control and providing more accurate passes.
If Friday is any indication, it is possible that Alston could permanently move to the left side which would allow Chris Tierney, who occupied the position for most of 2012, to focus on developing as a midfielder.
The Right Fullback Position is Open
With Alston potentially moving to the left, the Revs currently have a vacancy on the right side of the defense. On Friday, Heaps looked at several options over the course of three 30 minute periods.
Trialist Bilal Duckett put in his application when he played right back for the first 30 minutes. Duckett was drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2011 but only saw first team action in 4 games before being released at the end of the season. In 2012, the 6-2 defender signed with the USL Pro’s Harrisburg City Islanders where he played 19 games and scored one goal. Duckett was a part of the US Open Cup squad that was able to erase a three goal deficit to defeat the Revolution in penalty kicks. Duckett took and converted the third penalty kick for his team. With a full season of lower division soccer on his resume, Duckett could be ready to make a return to MLS.
Duckett is not the only player that saw time at the right back position during the game against Sporting KC. First round draft pick Andrew Farrell was used on the right side for the second period before moving to the centerback position during the final portion of the game. While Farrell is pegged at a centerback prospect, he could find himself playing as an outside back considering the need. This wouldn’t be a new idea to the former Louisville standout as he spent some time there during his college years and the MLS Combine.
Antigua & Barbuda international Quinton Griffith was the final applicant for the right back position. Griffith is a left-footed player who can play as both a midfielder and a defender. The 20 year-old was able to showcase his abilities at both positions having played as a left midfielder for the second period before settling in at the right back position. Despite being a young player, Griffith does have the pedigree to make an impact. The blonde-haired player plies his trade with Antigua Barracuda of the USL Pro while also featuring for his country’s national team. Griffith could be a welcomed addition to the team but he might not play as a right back considering he has some of the same characteristics that prompted the move of Alston.
While not in camp, it’s important to note that the Revs retain the rights to Hunter Freeman. The 28 year-old defender announced on Twitter that he will be able to reveal his future in the coming week. If he decides to sign with the Revs, Freeman would certainly become a frontrunner for the right back position.
Nyassi is set to Contribute
Since signing with the New England Revolution in 2007, Sainey Nyassi has never lived up to his full potential. The Gambian international was first scouted by then-coach Stevie Nicol at the 2007 U-20 World Cup and quickly recognized as a player for the future. Over the course of six seasons, Nyassi has been an enigma by sometimes showing the dribbling prowess and composure that Revs fans hoped for while also showing he can be naïve and erratic with the ball.
When Heaps took over the team, he elected to keep Nyassi and cut his compatriot Kenny Mansally, who had also been with the team since 2007. Heaps justified his decision by saying that Nyassi’s speed could be an asset in both the midfield and up top. Nyassi had never been used as a forward during the Nicol years but his twin brother, Sanna, has found success at the position with the Seattle Sounders, the Colorado Rapids and Montreal Impact.
Nyassi never got to show fans what he could do as a forward because a hamstring injury limited his 2012 season to a single substitute appearance. Now fully healthy, it appears that Nyassi could be ready to make an impact.
Nyassi played the final 30 minutes of the game as a forward alongside unsigned draftee Chris Thomas. The speedster had two of the day’s best opportunities in the span of two minutes. Nyassi was unable to convert either of his chances but he will need to in the future considering that both the midfield and forward area are quickly becoming overpopulated.
Toja Fitness Woes Continue
Midfielder Juan Toja joined the New England Revolution on August 23 through the Allocation Process but was limited to five substitute appearances in 2012 as he struggled with knee stiffness. In his limited minutes, Toja showed the creativity and skill that made him a two-time MLS All-Star and a player to keep around.
The emergence of Toja combined the struggles of Benny Feilhaber led the team trading the US international to Sporting KC. Toja is expected to occupy the creative midfield role for the Revs but so far has struggled with fitness issues. Toja sat out of Friday’s game with what is being described as a “minor knock.”
The Columbian’s struggles with fitness should be concerning to the team as they need his imagination and vision. In his two seasons with FC Dallas, Toja contributed 8 goals and 3 assists while helping run the team’s offense. The Revolution could especially use Toja when it comes to dead ball situations. The Revs only scored on two dead-ball situations in 2012 and the long-haired midfielder, if called upon, has the ability to whip in an accurate cross.
If Toja can’t overcome his fitness issues, he could quickly see himself traded considering there has already been talk that the Revs are shopping around the former FC Dallas player.
Preseason Experimenting is Exciting to Fans
Despite not being able to see the game, it was fun to look over Heaps’ experimental selections. The Revolution came out with a comfortable lineup that included many experienced players but started to make some interesting changes after the first 30 minutes. The changes gave Revolution fans the hope that they might finally get what they been asking for.
Tyler Polak made the left back position his own for the final hour of Friday’s game. The Generation Adidas player that came from Creighton excited Revs fans as a left-back prospect that could challenge incumbent Tierney. Despite the excitement that surrounded the Nebraska native, Polak was limited to a single substitute appearance in 2012. The 20 year-old may not be ready to contribute in 2013 but Revs fans should certainly be encouraged that he was able to put in a solid 60 minute shift against one of the best attacking teams in the league.
Like Polak, midfielder Scott Caldwell has lofty expectations from Rev diehards. The Massachusetts native grow up as a part of the Revolution youth system and Caldwell chose to sign a homegrown contract with the team after having four successful years at Akron. Also like Polak, Caldwell might not be ready to contribute significant minutes in his first season with the New England Revolution but Friday’s game will give fans the positive image of the hometown product leading the attack.
One youth player that was a part of Heaps’ experimenting that could see significant minutes in 2013 is Diego Fagundez. On Friday, Fagnudez first played the forward position that Revs fans are accustomed to before switching to the midfield for the final part of the game. Fans have been clamoring for the homegrown product to play in the midfield since he was signed by the team in 2010. The mohawk sensation’s small build might make him a better fit for the midfield where he can use his speed and creativity to build the attack. Friday’s game will give fans hope that Fagundez could make a permanent move to the midfield.
Potential Opening Day Starting Lineup (As of 1/26/2012)
(image courtesy of revolutionsoccer.net)
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