The New England Revolution played Sunday at home and then traveled to DC Wednesday night on their way to Denver for Saturday’s game. On a night when luck seemed unwilling to take sides for or against either team, the Revs have to feel that their effort and communication earned them the point. The painful Philadelphia loss on Sunday was disjointed, spiritless, and embarrassing. Finishing the week with 4 points, a two game unbeaten streak, and renewed confidence is quite a turn around.
New England played solid defense despite one error against Colorado. The error was by Matt Reis who misjudged a long searching ball as it bounced right over him and into the net to give Colorado a goal. Reis was solid in both DC and Colorado. The clarity of purpose in DC and Colorado was apparent. Rather than emphasizing possession passing or service from the wings the Revs focused on protecting their goal as a team. They made it very difficult for either DC United or the Rapids to create any chances in the final third. This looked like a game plan that the team could execute, scoring first always helps that effort, and the resulting possession stats were no surprise. All season the Revs’ opponents have controlled somewhere near 60% of each game’s possession. That hasn’t changed, but we did post a win and a tie despite defending for the majority of the game.
Both New England and Colorado were awarded penalty kicks. There will likely be room for debate around most penalty kick decisions. Saturday night each team took their opportunity and scored. Sub Kenny Mansally was taken down just inside the 18 yd box and Shalrie Joseph took the PK for the Revs in the 90th minute to earn a tie. Chris Tierney was red carded and will miss the next game for taking down Sanna Nyassi. Caleb Folan put away the PK for Colorado. So with the two PKs and the blooper goal, all three from the last 20 minutes of the game, we are left to discuss the opening goal from the first half.
The formula for the Revs as we roll towards the playoffs is to defend as a team and look for set piece opportunities. Throw-ins are set pieces, especially if the throw can get to the near post. Barnes long throw found McCarthy at the near post. He barely skipped the ball back to Benny Feilhaber who fought his way onto that ball for a great goal. Benny’s passion to win and drive to use his skills to create chances are a tremendous addition to the Revolution. He seemed the only passionate player for the Revs in the atrocious loss to Philadelphia. His passion boiled over into a red card and his return against Colorado with the opening goal was good. Benny is incredibly important to this team, however, this week proved that he is not this team’s leader.
Last week we learned what rock bottom looks like against Philadelphia. Shalrie Joseph’s onfield leadership is essential to the Revolution. His All-Star appearance against Manchester United is deserved, go get ’em Shalrie! Team defense and set pieces will be the key to every New England success during the rest of the season. There are other questions like: will Schilawski continue out on the wing; will Lekic continue to start; is there a language barrier between Coria and Soares; will the talk of a Designated Player be so much spent breath? For now, bring on more set pieces in our offensive third of the field!
(image courtesy of revolutionsoccer.net)
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