LA at Revs: Pre/In/Post

Wow.

What a day.

There's a lot of season left, but this team certainly looks a lot better and a lot deeper than the one that gave us a tease of good play early last year before fading.

 

Two games in a row Revs have scored 5 goals (all competition).

And Rowe . . . Three goals and three assists in 120 minutes.

 

Can't quite say I don't care how we won, but man does it feel good to take LA to the woodshed.

 

I had to give up my tickets to this game because some other plans came up - after sitting through the early season suckfests with SKC and Dallas you better believe I'm annoyed I missed this one live.

I did watch the game and I actually think the Revs outplayed LA more in their national TV game *last* year - that was more of a bell-to-bell domination whereas yesterday's game was pouncing on a disheartened opponent at the end.

My main takeaway from this game is more about LA's weaknesses than the Revs' strengths - last season proved fairly conclusively that LA's defense is terrible without Omar and it was shown again today. Plus we took advantage of a very weak GK - Cudicini's reflexes and instincts are nonexistent at this point, and it's clear now Galaxy made a rare personnel error this season by going for the flashy "name veteran" rather than developing one of their backups.

An interesting stat is that the Galaxy have not won this season if they have conceded first - even with Keane and Omar the book might be out on them to go all out for the opening goal and take advantage when they start pressing for the equalizer.

This is early but Diego might have played himself into MVP conversation with this game and basically guaranteed himself an All Star nod. A goal and 3 assists against the league's signature team is extremely impressive. Also, the Revs have several Goal of the Week candidates in this one (Sene, Fagundez, Rowe) - hopefully we finally win a week.

Basically I'm echoing nervousness that this game might be too good to be true, that teams will revert to the hacking strategy that did us in last year since we're still too weak on set pieces, and with Cisse still not at 100% we don't have a dedicated DMid with passing skills right now (Caldwell's been fine but a rookie playing somewhat out of position in that important spot is still a concern).

I'm hoping next week's DCU game doesn't become a "trap game" and also that they hold out another week before firing Olsen so we don't become victims of the "new manager" performance bump.

 

Great win at the perfect time...home match, decent crowd, nationally televised vs. a big market MLS club.

So nice to finally see the ball in the back of the opposing net on multiple occasions. Long overdue.

This should really give the team some confidence moving forward which hopefully translates into some more wins.

Long season, but good to see signs of cohesiveness and teamwork with multiple contributors.

Still need more evidence that this team can be a solid contender. Time will tell.

 

After goal #4 there was a 20-30 second stretch where the atmosphere in Foxboough felt like what the Portland Timbers experience every home game, where almost everyone was standing and chanting. What a fantastic day.

 

Excellent crowd yesterday - the 19k attendance is our best (I believe) for the season.

Maybe the revs should have more Sunday afternoon games?

 

Noticed that too. Dude's in the funkiest of funks right now. Hopefully he bags a couple goals in the Qualifiers (except against the US ) and comes back with some confidence.

One thing I've wondered, though, and I've got this idea from Football Manager, but maybe he's homesick and the Revs would do well to bring in another Honduran player. I'm also curious how his English is coming along, since when he came here last year he didn't speak a lick of it.

 

Still savoring yesterday! Make it last, make it last!

 

Here's a stat you don't see every day:

Shots on Goal: LA 6, NE 5
Saves: LA 0, NE 6

 

I'm choosing to move beyond the sadness in this. My guarded optimism of the last 2 weeks is now upgraded to feeling good about our team.

 

It's an Opta thing. From the MLS Fantasy FAQ (since it uses the same database of stats):

A big chance is one where the analyst determines the player should score​

So, yes, it's pretty ambiguous.

 

"Sooo... Which one is David Beckham? He's not playing?!? Why not?"

 

Jerry was celebrating at least one of the earlier goals - certainly Diego's.

On the fifth goal - I was surprised we didn't take it to the corner. Perhaps we were trying to erase the match at RBA from our goal differential.

 

Not sure if it was the NBC coverage verse the usually telecast but I thought the place sounded extra loud most of the game

 

I think it was because Chad Barrett wants more minutes and thus wanted to get/create more goals during his 5 minutes of play.

 

Guessing here but I think you're probably right. Observing him virtually since the day he arrived, it appeared Bengtson's mind is still, and probably never left, Honduras. It may sound harsh but given his lack of performance to-date I think the more prudent move would be to cut our losses and let Bengtson go at the first opportunity (this summer?) when he has some value rather than bring in someone else to pacify an underperforming player. Hell, I'd take Cardenas back if we're going to spend Bengtson's salary on a depth forward - at least he had heart.

Or just trade him to the suckers in SKC or Chivas - they may be open to another revs underperformer.

 

In person it was a much louder crowd than usual.