Who knew a Designated Player Striker could not only start a game, not only register an assist, but start, get an assist, and score a goal! Gustavo Bou’s return to the starting lineup last week carried over to Saturday, and La Pantera sent a reminder to everyone that there are plenty of talented Argentines in MLS.
The most impressive part about Saturday’s win was that all the action (goals and, well, just about anything action-oriented) happened in the second half. With the rain pelting down and the Gillette surface clearly playing at a blistering pace, it took 45 minutes for both teams to really find their footings, and once they did the game opened up. I said last week that Orlando made me nervous coming in, and despite missing nine players, the Lions were dangerous last night. At 1-0, it took a rather remarkable reaction save from Earl Edwards Jr. to keep the game level, and the backup goalie earned his game check tonight.
The most impressive part before we dive into the bullet points was the play of the DPs. Gustavo looked hungry, Capi is in that upper echelon of MLS players, and Vrioni played and didn’t look awful—that’s actually a win for him. Saw the stat somewhere last night that the DPs had played under 30 mins together all season—what happens when they start getting more run in? I still ain’t sold on Vrioni but 3 DPs on the field should—and was last night—better than just one or two.
- I hate some of the discourse over turf fields and Gillette and the Revs ownership, but here we are leading the bullet points with the stadium: Revs are 6-0-3 this season at home, tied for longest unbeaten mark in team history (both those teams also went 6-0-3, oddly enough). Perhaps, and just hear me out now, the turf sucks, but the team knows how to play on it and that gives us an edge. I thought last night there were times you could see Orlando players being frustrated or bamboozled by how the turf played because of the slickness, whereas the Revs are used to playing here. I’m still all about a SSS somewhere closer to Boston (or Springfield, this is a New England team! *ducks*), but credit the guys for knowing how to turn Gillette into a fortress.
- When you bash a player, you also have to admit when they turn it around: Thought that was Omar Gonzalez’s best 45 mins in a Revs uniform this season (maybe ever). As a veteran, MLS-winning CB, Omar can bring guile and calm to the defense, and he did at points last night. Perhaps he got the message when Jozy was bought out? If we can get this version of Omar for the rest of the year, we have a very nice depth piece on defense—one that could help turn the tide in our favor?
- Interesting look into Bruce’s head at the interval: With Brandon Bye still working his way back to fitness, Arena went to Omar as a sub. When I first saw the switch, I assumed we’d go to a 3 ATB formation like we have when Brandon has been out. Instead, Bruce stuck to the 4-4-2 diamond, and pushed Andrew Farrell out to right back. This could mean a lot of things and I hope some of the real media start to ask Bruce about his tactics instead of who he’s buying/not buying, but to me it’s a signal that Bruce doesn’t want to/doesn’t trust that 3ATB formation as much, and I think that’s a good thing. There are some problems to iron out in this diamond midfield—most notably how stretched we get as the ball moves side to side. I get nervous when Ema drops in as the CDM on plays (or Buck) and the flank is left wide open. Better teams exploit this space, but against better teams, perhaps the space isn’t there. Something to watch.
- When we do play 4ATB, it’s exhilarating and also terrifying watching DeJuan and Brandon bomb up the field and then occupy midfield positions. This team likes to get forward and I’m always going to encourage it, but man do we feel exposed sometimes. Hope Dave Romney’s hammys stay together all season. But proof of how scary the fullbacks can be came with the waved off goal—look at how high up the field Brandon is!
- The Noel Buck cutback/just missed shot combo was sexy. He’s a stud.
- Ema deserved the goal for how hard he’s worked this year. Only three goal contributions, but feels like way more. It’s still amazing to me no other MLS team thought he was worth giving a deal to. Whatever, our gain.
- As I wrote in my notes: “Earl has made the saves he’s needed to, and his throwing distribution has been nice!” And that is how I felt about his night. You really don’t want to see the backup GK ever play a league match, but when they’re called upon, you want them to do the job your starter would. I think Earl did. Not even sure Djordje would have gotten to the Orlando goal. Also the McGuire fellow made a difference for Orlando after replacing their DP striker. He was all over the place and really forcing Omar and Dave to make decisions and commit to things. Credit to him for playing hard.
- Bou went placement over power and it worked with a GOTY candidate (albeit a low one on the list, but had to add it, the placement!)
- Best part of the third goal: The fact it came off of a short Orlando free kick that we rapidly sent back the other way, or that it was Vrioni to Bou to Gil?
- Fun stats: 100th appearance for Bou in all comps; 81st goal contribution for Gil in his Revs career; Revs have scored 3 goals in five of their last six, and have 12 multigoal games this season.
Saw somewhere (I gotta start saving more tweets, I like giving credit to smart folks) that talking about the Revs (9-3-6, 33 points) lately has been deceiving on both ends: the “winless” streak, then the “unbeaten” streak. Well, let’s reframe the discussion: Two wins on the trot and a chance to make it three next Saturday against Toronto, before a massive trip to Cincinnati. Back up to third in the East, the Revs are looking good again and firing on the right cylinders. There’s room for improvement still, but I’ll take our position after 18 games. Are we as good as Cincy and Nashville? Head-to-heads indicate we’re in the thick of it, but it’s all about the business end of the season, as we vividly remember from 2021. Revs have to keep stacking results, and force teams to come to Gillette for the playoffs. The turf might suck, but it’s our turf, damnit, and we can take advantage. Also, Toronto has such a shit week coming up: Cincy midweek, Revs on Saturday.
Extra Kicks
- I love Capi and he’s my captain, but fuck if Hany Mukhtar isn’t playing at just a different level from everyone else. I was playing Fortnite with a buddy after the Revs game was over, but had Nashville/CITY up in the background. Every time Nashville scored, I didn’t even need to lift my head to see who scored. Nashville is must-watch viewing, and he’s the reason why.
- I cannot stand watching NYCFC home games, the baseball diamond is awful. BUT, I will never not laugh when the camera pans across midfield, and you see the VAR table set up in the middle of the field. It looks so amateur. Always makes me chuckle.
- This isn’t MLS related but putting my thoughts on “paper”: I didn’t think Gregg Berhalter was a good hire when USSF first announced him, and was left even less impressed after the World Cup. But if USSF wanted to bring him back, that’s their prerogative. My question: Why the drawn-out process? I can’t fathom that a full international search was conducted, and the firm came back with “yeah hire the guy that was called out for his lack of tactical flexibility.” I want an audit done on USSF to see who hired everyone to conduct this search. Screams of favors done for friends when everyone had their minds made up. I cannot WAIT to watch us beat up on CONCACAF for the next four years, then get fucking dunked on when we host the World Cup. The shocked pikachu faces from some corners of the world will be hilarious. I’m also ready to be proven wrong—but I think it’s going to be natural talent vs. coaching that helps the U.S. to go far in 2026.
A Whately Devil 