And to think I went into last night in a pessimistic mood. Hosting (OK we were the away team but let’s be real) a Liga MX side coming off that embarrassment at NYRB at the weekend, I worried that the Revs might fold and decide a month’s vacation would be better than a chance to play elimination soccer. Instead, New England showcased how lethal the attack can be when clicking, and the defense held it together and allowed Djordje Petrovic to do his thing in goal. The result was a beautiful 5-1 decision that secured passage to the Leagues Cup Round of 32.
The most visible difference between Saturday and Wednesday was New England’s ability to get, and then stay on the ball. Instead of being pinned back deep in their own defensive third, we saw DeJuan Jones and Brandon Bye able to get forward and play dangerous crosses into the box (Jones assisted Own Goal so he didn’t get an assist, but Bye did get one for his cutback on Vrioni’s third—more on that in a moment). There was also time for Mark-Anthony Kaye to play some nice balls out from the midfield into the attacking third, and Noel Buck and Ian Harkes looked like they were having fun zipping all over the place—even if they sometimes occupied the same area, and left the opposite side of the field pretty exposed.
The easy takeaway is that when Bruce trusts his three DPs to play together, good things happen. That’s certainly part of it. But beneath the surface, I’d also suggest that when the Revs play teams that sit back more, they’re going to flourish. When teams bring the fight to New England in the midfield, can we adjust? I guess that’ll be answered in the R32 game (or when we play NYRB next in the league. Circle the calendar).
What was obvious last night is that Giacomo Vrioni was in a MOOD. The mercurial striker has been on the wrong end of my keystrokes previously, but the sign of a good pundit (lol) is to admit when a player has turned things around. If Giacomo can play every game like last night, I’m happy to admit I was ready to write him off early. The question is, of course, can he? His natural ability has always shown through in bits and bobs, but I’ve always questioned the attitude. Sometimes he just seems like he doesn’t have it, or want to have it. What changed for me a bit last night, and to an extension Bruce Arena if you read his postgame comments, was the third goal.
“The third goal was something we’ve been working on with him since he got here,” Arena said afterward. “He didn’t end up believing that was his job as striker. It was just great to see. The third goal was the one that I liked the best actually.”
He didn’t end up believing that was his job as a striker. That’s not something you want to read about your No. 9 DP. Thankfully, though, it appears that Giacomo has heard the message Bruce has been preaching. The guys over at The Blazing Musket (are you subscribed yet? You should be) looked at this in their postgame story, so give that a read too. The attitude problem, I think, has been what’s really hampered Vrioni’s playtime since he signed. Let’s hope last night was the official turning of the corner for him. He gives us an edge that Bobby can’t (Bobby still has his place here FYI), and when we can play all three of our DPs together, we’re going to be better off more times than not. What was also as reassuring as the goal, was the reaction when Vrioni came off immediately after. Every single person on the bench went to him to give him daps. That’s the sight you want to see in a team that’s humming along.
Bullet points!
- I don’t think the MAK/Polster debate has been settled. In fact, I hope we get to see them play together (MAK/Polster/Buck midfield soon plz). But what I do think MAK brings that can benefit us is an exquisite range of passing. Polster is actually has our highest successful long ball percentage on the team per FotMob, and is fourth on the team in accurate long balls per 90 minutes (3.5). But twice in the first half last night, MAK picked out a ball that took ASL out of the game and opened up the defense, the second of which led to a goal. I hope we can see more of MAK’s passing range and ability to create, while also seeing Matty boy back in the starting XI. Suppose options are better than not having any at all
- I think everyone values Djordje Petrovic as one of our best players, and probably the best goalie to every pull on the gloves in New England. That still doesn’t explain how important he is for this team. Petro still had to make six saves last night, including a few in the first half that helped keep ASL at bay while the Revs built up the lead. We also looked flustered again at the two things that have killed us all season: direct balls over the top, and set pieces. Just gotta hope Kessler’s hammy is healing up so we can get some defensive reinforcements in. It’s also a good thing we score in bunches.
- On the flip side of the Vrioni hate wagon is the “Bou-is-washed” camp, and they’re just as blown the fu*k out as the Vrioni-hater gang. Gustavo is gonna Gustavo during a game—his “assist” to Vrioni was as much him losing possession on the first touch as it was a layoff to ThreeOni (shout out the Twitter user who posted that last night)—but he also scored a banger and nearly had two more bangers. When La Pantera is feeling frisky, he really is a treat to watch.
- We praise Carles Gil all the time, now it’s time to celebrate the nepotism signing (I didn’t just say that!): Nacho is back! As the Revs continue to get back to health, it’s so good seeing all of our players back on the field and smiling. Nacho still has a long road to go to get any form going, but he could be a nice depth piece off the bench to spell our wingers, so get in, fella!
- Mentioned earlier but worth bullet pointing: Our fullbacks had such better nights last night than on Saturday. Seemes against NYRB, I saw Jones and Bye eating shit on the turf after slipping more than I did defending or attacking. Last night, both got in on the attacking action, and DeJuan had some great 1on1 defending moments, including the one in the second half where he tucked his hands behind his back, stood tall, and used his left leg to poke check the ball away inside the box. Much of our success going forward is going to be tied to how the fullbacks do.
- Bruce: Start all three DPs in the knockout. Don’t get cute. Please.
- Spacing still an issue for the Revs. I noticed Harkes and Buck occupying the same position on a few occasions, leaving us severely unbalanced. Also saw chatter on Twitter that Harkes and Gil were tripping into each other some. Part of it is Harkes still understanding his role, but if you’ve been reading this blog this season you’ll recall I’ve mentioned pre-Harkes that the midfield gets all out of sorts at times. Defense needs all the help it can get on direct balls—midfielders being out of position does little to help anyone.
- Josh Bolma got more minutes! And over the other homegrowns. Perhaps he’s going to have a bigger role than I imagined going down the stretch? I liked how feisty he was last night—kept going at ASL players even up 5-1.
- On the bad side of feisty: Carles got a needless yellow, again. Up 5-1 in the 75th(ish) minute, Carles took umbrage with a lack of foul called. I can get that to an extent. But then he remonstrates like he had his leg hacked off. The color commentator last night praised the action, but I just find it petty and dumb. We already lost Carles for a game due to yellow card accumulation in MLS—imagine if he gets one in Leagues Cup knockouts. I have to look at the rules, hope it’s not 3 yellows before a discipline. I could see him picking that up just in time for the semifinals if he can’t get calls in the three rounds prior.
With the win, the job is done for New England in the group stages: We’re on to the knockout rounds. With only one goal conceded in open play, I still like New England’s chances going forward. Who will we face next? Who knows! But seriously, depends on a lot. If ASL can beat NYRB this weekend, the Revs would top their group (East 4), and would face the second-place finisher from East 3 (currently NYCFC, with Atlas on top). If NYRB wins and the East 3 standings stay the same, the Revs would play Atlas. If Toronto somehow beats Atlas, then here are the tiebreakers for East 3, per the Leagues Cup site: “If at the end of the Group Stage, two or more Clubs are tied in points, their position in the table would be determined according to the following tie-breaking criteria (these are only considered if the previous criterium in the list does not determine which Club advances):
- 1. Direct head-to-head match result between the tied Clubs (for clarity, a win in penalty kicks is a win for purposes of this tiebreaker).
- 2. Better goal differential between goals scored and goals conceded during the Group Stage.
- 3. Greater number of goals scored during the Group Stage.
- 4. Fewer number of goals conceded during the Group Stage.
- 5. Clubs Fair Play table (as defined and explained below).
- 6. The winner will be chosen in a draw organized by the Organizing Committee.”
My hope is ASL win over NYRB to secure top spot, then a date with NYCFC in the R32. There are some demons to exorcise still.
By the Numbers
- 14 times the Revs have scored four goals in a half in team history.
- 1 Revs hat trick for Giacomo Vrioni, and 1 continental hat trick for the Revs in team history.
- 12,327 people there last night. Ick. Felt like the old Revs after attendance has hovered around 20K this season.
- 125 appearances for Carles Gil across all competitions for the Revs. What a signing.
- 9-2-1 record for the Revs against Liga MX opponents.
A Whately Devil 