In a few days, many of us will be surrounding a Christmas tree to open presents. While you may be happy with that sweater from Aunt Ann or that iPod from Uncle Bill, you want something more, something much harder to wrap. You want a successful 2014 season for the New England Revolution. Below, I look at the 10 wishes that all Revolution fans will be making this holiday season.
1. A genuine goal scorer
MLS may never see a more natural goal scorer than Taylor Twellman. Regardless of this disheartening fact, the Revs must acquire a player than can threaten the opposing net on a weekly basis. The three forwards currently listed on the roster (Jerry Bengtson, Dimitry Imbongo and Saer Sene) won’t alarm many opponents. Furthermore, it’s all but officially that Juan Agudelo has played his last game at Gillette Stadium. An authentic goal scorer, hopefully one with MLS experience, must be signed before first kick.
2. Honduras Bengtson
I may sound naive when I say this, but I’m not done with Bengtson. The CONCACAF poacher can clearly score goals despite his struggles with the Revs. Perhaps his quest to make the World Cup roster will help motivate him. Maybe a second full preseason will help the lanky forward connect with his teammates. Who knows, it could be the jersey redesign that helps Bengtson feel more comfortable. Regardless, the Revs must make New England Bengtson the same as Honduras Jerry.
3. A strong defensive midfielder to play the destroyer role
Scott Caldwell was the surprise of 2013 as he beat Kalifa Cisse, Clyde Simms and Andy Dorman to become the team’s first choice defensive midfielder. The Akron product hardly looked like a rookie as he moved the ball quickly and safely to help the Revs improve their overall possession. Still, the Revs clearly need a stronger, more experienced DM to help the team through difficult moments. There were times when the Revs were regularly pushed around by their opponent. There were times when the Revs allowed the lead slip away. There were times when the midfield lacked organization. A DM in the vein of Kyle Beckerman would instantly promote competition and provide Jay Heaps with more options.
4. Competition
The Heaps Era has brought depth and competition to nearly every position on the field and the team is better for that. The battle between Stephen McCarthy and AJ Soares has led to both players improving. The uncertainty concerning the defensive midfield position forced both Caldwell and Dorman to stay sharp and prepared. Even Lee Nguyen, who was the 2012 MVP, was placed on the bench when he wasn’t performing adequately. Each roster spot should be filled with a player that has a realistic chance at making the starting lineup.
5. A true number one between the goalposts
While competition is great, I want a confident, fulltime goalkeeper. Heaps should allow Brad Knighton and Bobby Shuttleworth to fight throughout preseason before naming an official number one. Once a preferred netminder is named, Heaps should stay with that individual unless there is an injury or major run of poor form. Goalkeepers need real game experience to get better. If Heaps truly believes that either Knighton or Shuttleworth is the goalkeeper of the future, he has to fully back that individual.
6. Consistency for the youth
The young core provided a captivating season where fans were able to watch Diego Fagundez, Kelyn Rowe and Caldwell mature at a steady rate. Fagundez’s 13 goals, Rowe’s 8 assists and Caldwell’s capture of the defensive midfield position served as proof that the “Youth Revolution” worked. That having been said, 2014 must be the year of consistency for the young players. There was stretches where Fagundez was invisible during games and Rowe missed more long shots then he made. Even Caldwell, who was a picture of consistency for the majority of the season, hit a rough patch. If the Revs are going to be successful in 2014, they need the youth to be reliable.
7. A happy chapter for the Charlie Davies story
The arrival of Davies was met by much fanfare as many hoped that the former prodigy would be able to regain his pre-accident form. Davies only contributed 23 minutes of action in 2013 but he did promise to offer more in 2014. The Revs haven’t officially inked a new deal with the New Hampshire native but social media has provided plenty of hints that Davies will be plying his trade in Foxboro. I’m not asking for Davies to be the Golden Boat winner (though that would be nice) but I do hope for a productive year for the fan favorite.
8. Another year with the Rochester Rhinos
Year one of the Revs-Rhinos partnership was underwhelming. The Rhinos, who withstood injuries and a coaching change, only had six wins which placed them towards the bottom of the standings. The Revs loanees (Tyler Polak, Bilal Duckett, Gabe Latigue and Matt Horth) provided little help and were sometimes omitted from the starting lineup. Despite the implementation dip, the Revs, who haven’t announced an extension for the affiliation, should give the partnership another year. The emergence of Dom Dwyer and Duckett’s 90 minute performance against the Portland Timbers are proof that a connection with a lower division team can be beneficial.
9. Details about a soccer specific stadium or, at the very least, more Boston games
A soccer specific stadium for the Revs isn’t coming in 2014. Sorry. We can, however, wish for some progress on the Revs’ search for a home of their own. Announce an event for the ground breaking, provide a list of potential locations or leak a proposed blue print. If none of these suggestions are possible then at least give fans another game within city limits.
10. Playoffs, again
I’m not sure that I’m ready to expect a trophy from the Revs but I do know that I fully expect playoffs. Most of the 2013 contributors will be returning to the Revs. Furthermore, Heaps has another year of experience under his belt. The Revs received a lot of attention towards the end the 2013 season and they must now live up to the expectations. This means a deep run in the Open Cup, a return to playoffs and possibly some hardware for the trophy case.
(image courtesy of Kari Heistad)
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