11/3 EC Semifinals Leg 2: NE Revs vs Redbull NY (Pre-game)

[Brian Gockley]

Here's hoping the REvs can muster some ball control, possession, good passing and GOALS in front of their home crowd. NY should be easy pickings if we come out strong.

And let's hope Dallas keeps Houston down and Chicago beats DC.

I like Ralston at AM (why didn't we do that in April?), but please put Dorman on for Thompson.

[Hed7181]

Here's hoping the REvs can muster some ball control, possession, good passing and GOALS in front of their home crowd. NY should be easy pickings if we come out strong.

And let's hope Dallas keeps Houston down and Chicago beats DC.

I like Ralston at AM (why didn't we do that in April?), but please put Dorman on for Thompson.

If Nicol didn't switch Dorman and Thompson on Saturday, then I'd be willing to bet he's not going to do it next time either. I think Steve has made up his mind at this point.

Im with those of the opinion that something is definitely not right with Dorman, whether it's health related or contract related, because the coach does not have a track record of benching players simply based on a couple weeks of lower than normal performances.

An interesting aspect of this game is that both teams will already know their EC Finals opponent before the match starts. That doesn't really have any bearing on the intensity of this match. Although, psychologically, it might be more encouraging to know your opponent will be the Fire, a team that we know we can beat, as opposed to DC United, a team we have definitely struggled with this year.

[Fiero20]

either way, the road to MLS Cup began, and it doesnt matter who we play, we need solid play and wins.

i see twellman and noonan finding the net.

as well as dorman finding some time on the field.

lets go Revs!

[Transparent_Human]

2-0 Revs. Lets not let this go to OT or a shootout. I have a feeling it won't.

[TheMightyRevs]

I like Ralston at AM (why didn't we do that in April?), but please put Dorman on for Thompson.

I liked the way Thompson played in the first leg. I'd rather see Dorman on for Smith. I'd at least feel confident when he is passed the ball. And I know Andy will work harder than Smith

[davidB1878]

Yes, let's make this easy on ourselves... Clean sheet from Reis... Goals from Twellman and Noonan, hopefully 3-0.

[keeppah]

I didn't see many positives out of the first leg - except the result. With that said, I fully expect the Revs to advance and hopefully host Chicacgo in the ECF.

[ngower]

This is what I would like to see, even though I know it won't happen.

----------------Reis------------------
-----Larentowicz-----Parkhurst-----
--Heaps----------------------John----
-----------------Joseph---------------
---Riley--------------------Smith----
-----------------Ralston---------------
-------Twellman------Noonan---------

Riley is not a defender, our wings are weak, Dorman has to have something going on and Wells just isn't cutting it at this level, needs more time in the reserves. Smith, despite his still mediocre play, improved for the last game. The 4 man back line should give us the ability to move forward a lot more without having to rush back and defend.

[jrkumor]

During the first game, I kept thinking we were missing Dorman - not lost Dorman of the past few months, but the Dorman that showed up at the beginning of the season.

[Hed7181]

This is what I would like to see...

----------------Reis------------------
-----Larentowicz-----Parkhurst-----
--Heaps----------------------John----
-----------------Joseph---------------
---Riley--------------------Smith----
-----------------Ralston---------------
-------Twellman------Noonan---------




I'm curious. Why would you want to see Larentowicz as CB? He never plays there. And Riley on the right? Again, he never plays there either.

I know you acknowledged it would never happen, and I agree. I'm just wondering why you would ever want to see a lineup like that?

[KaptPowers]

Hopefully history will repeat itself and we can again send the New Yorkers back to New Jersey, tails tucked between legs. However that would require some inspired play from the team- not the lackluster effort I saw last week. It honestly looked like Nicol was playing for the draw and wanting to get the win in front of the home crowd. Well, part A done...now on to part B.

I'm not even thinking about the ECF until we dispense with Energy Drink NJ.








...ok maybe I am a little...I'd wanna play Chicago haha..

[ngower]

I'm curious. Why would you want to see Larentowicz as CB? He never plays there. And Riley on the right? Again, he never plays there either.

I know you acknowledged it would never happen, and I agree. I'm just wondering why you would ever want to see a lineup like that?

Larentowicz can play defense, he's capable of it, and it would be nice to have a bit more physicality in the back-line as well as a defender that can go forward. You can't look at this lineup with people's 3-5-2 roles, it's something new.

As for Riley, I hate him as a defender, don't think he should be a DM with what we have, and I think he's got some decent attacking roles. Not to mention we have to try something new with our wingers, it's obvious they aren't working as they stand right now.

It's a brash new take on the Revs conventional lineup, but we're complaining about weak wings and poor defending, I'd think it's a given it needs retooling and not just changing around who starts. I was pleased by what I saw when we went to the 4-4-2 in the last few minutes, I won't be surprised if Nicol tries it again.

[REV-OKe]

Larentowicz can play defense, he's capable of it, and it would be nice to have a bit more physicality in the back-line as well as a defender that can go forward. You can't look at this lineup with people's 3-5-2 roles, it's something new.

.

the rev's defense regullarly morphs into a 5-3-2, with Sj and Tittyrenter playing deep.

[ToMhIlL]

"Hopefully history will repeat itself and we can again send the New Yorkers back to New Jersey, tails tucked between legs."

Yeah, and they are saying, "Hopefully we'll change history and we can again send those MassHoles back to New Hampshire, tails tucked between legs."

[wolfp10]

The Revs need to score a goal within the first 15 minutes. I don't see this NY team responding well to the pressure of coming from behind.

And for the love of all that is good in New England, I really hope Nicol lets the boys play for most, if not all, of this game, instead of bunkering if we take the lead. In this case, the best defense is a good offense.

[patfan1]

The Revs need to score a goal within the first 15 minutes. I don't see this NY team responding well to the pressure of coming from behind.

And for the love of all that is good in New England, I really hope Nicol lets the boys play for most, if not all, of this game, instead of bunkering if we take the lead. In this case, the best defense is a good offense.
Agreed ... go after their defense. Actually make them have to beat us.

[Hed7181]

Agreed ... go after their defense. Actually make them have to beat us.

I can only hope this will be our strategy on Saturday.

It definitely plays to the strength of this Revs team.

[Soccer Doc]

Having two coaches that have played many two leg fixtures like this really helps. They know well what it takes and how to develop an effective game plan suited to the players we have available and the team were playing. NYRB shot their wad during their home leg and the Revs held them scoreless just like the book says :D. Now it's our turn. Revs 2-- NYRB 0

[Hed7181]

Having two coaches that have played many two leg fixtures like this really helps. They know well what it takes and how to develop an effective game plan suited to the players we have available and the team were playing. NYRB shot their wad during their home leg and the Revs held them scoreless just like the book says :D. Now it's our turn. Revs 2-- NYRB 0

It's true. Heading home with an even scoreline is a huge plus. My only concern is that if/when the Revs score at home, they will not keep pushing for more. The last thing I want to see is a goal scored earlier in the first half and then 60 minutes of bunkerball.

You are right though. Historically, having a couple of former players very adept at two-legged tournament situations both as players and as coaches is a huge plus. Not to mention most of our players have been in this exact position before as well, which is another plus.

I know the Revs can and should win. All signs point to that conclusion in my opinion. We are the better team, with more playoff experience, playing at home. Now all we need to is actually execute and finish RBNY off, but that's easier said than done.

[Mick7184]

My prediction, 1-1 after extra time, Revs win on pk's