Well, better offensively, worse defensively. The Revs are only Gilberto's ineptitude from being down by three goals. But more watchable! Gratuitous prediction for the second half: Fagundez gets a goal.
Two quick thoughts so far: -Despite the deflection, Shuttleworth had plenty of time to make a play on that ball, by professional GK standards. No excuse for him just watching it roll in. -Mullins should win Goal of the Week running away. That shot was Gareth Bale-esque.
Mullins sank a fantastic goal and missed a sitter. Diego could have one by now if he pulled the trigger earlier. And Gilberto can't finish. Could be 3-3. Great game so far. Alston looks like he's done for a couple weeks with a hamstring injury. That is bad news for us. Man Mullins has done some fantastic holdup play. If this isn't a fluke, I think he's our guy up top.
so all we needed to finally win in Toronto was for Toronto to sign the best forward and midfielder in the league.
Well, a fair result for your... first-place New England Revolution. Hard not to feel good about the experiment of putting Mullins up top.
Let"s see more games like that. Despite not having the two final pieces that Mr. Burns can't deliver, they played like equals to the highest payroll in the league. It was entertaining for long stretches too. If they could maintain that play going forward and reintroduce a JoGo at last years form, they'd be a fun team to watch. I'm sure we're not allowed to say anything cautionary or negative but Teal has to put that shot on frame!
When you're wrong-footed like that, you're always going to look foolish and inept. If you want to argue that his reflexes are just subpar, his amazing save off that header late in the second half plainly shows the contrary.
Using the "ideal"metric of win at home and ties on the road we are now just one point below the ideal. Not bad for a team that are loaded with attacking players who struggle to score (we can't depend of PK's to win games). If we can resolve that shortfull we may be able to make some noise this year. Will Burns deliver that promised attacking player by the end of the window?
Good win. Im not one to usually jump on this bandwagon but I thought Tierney really stunk the place up today. Major drop off when he entered the game and many of their dangerous attacks came from where he should have been but never seemed to be Lee totally outplayed Bradley and is easily our MVP. Almost scored near the end with three guys chasing him around. Why he isnt getting NAT call ups is beyond me. Bradley looked slow, lazy and generally not interested in risking any injury I'm getting tired of seeing Teal put shots into the 25th row. No more excuses. That one near the end has to at least be on frame Dorman and Lee had great games. Mullen played well too. I thought Farrell was strong but had a couple of shaky plays. We were somewhat lucky they didnt score a couple of goals but I'll take the 3 points on the road
Agreed. The last couple of weeks, Nguyen has gone up against a number of national teamers in Magee, Zusi, Feilhaber, and Bradley, and been far more active, dynamic, and effective than all of them. Bradley was really not impressive today. Herr Klinsmann, are you listening?
I thought Dorman was MOTM with Lee close behind. Bradley looked mediocre because Dorman didn't give him an inch. He gave him no space and no quarter. A great game for the full 90'. Mullen was a revelation with his hold up play and a great first goal. Ten minutes in, I thought we were going to get hosed. TFC was carving up our defensive shape and getting really good looks. We were lucky Defoe didn't score. I'm not sure what adjustments were made, but full credit for no further goals.
I'm not knowledgeable enough to judge if he does or doesn't match up well for the International game but I'm enough of a selfish homer to not want him pulled away on National Team duty when we are playing League games. My bet is he'd be smart to be content leveraging the Revs for a raise and leave the National Team and going back overseas to bigger, stronger players.
• Agree that Heaps is looking like a bright coach these days. The team is playing both effectively and attractively, and winning despite the individual players still making the same mistakes as they always did. (Soares clearing the ball blindly when it appeared he had time to make a play, Bunbury fluffing shots, Dorman and Barnes passing inaccurately, etc.) • Goalkeepers in all the best leagues are occasionally wrong-footed. It happens. Bobby's save in the second half was highlight reel quality. Overall a good game from him, though I had no idea he had no left foot at all until today. • Mullins! I'll be amazed if he hasn't won the starting job up top. • I found myself missing Rowe in the first half. Without Rowe on the field, I would predict that Caldwell will gradually eclipse Kobayashi. • Interesting that Alston (and indirectly, Barnes) started over Tierney. Interesting also that Farrell looks better and better as a center back. • Agree also with the growing band of Nguyen supporters. I don't think there is an MLS mid playing better than Nguyen right now. • Ryan Nelsen, I blow my nose at you. Blaming the ref for the hand ball - PK, because the corner was retaken (?!) is pansy-ish. Nelsen is the anti-Heaps - he gets less out of more. Bradley was great, but Defoe wasn't involved, and Gilberto was awful. One could say in Nelsen's defense that had Gilberto been able to make just one of his opportunities, the result would have looked better, but TFC didn't impress as a group. I liked Osorio, but- other than Bradley and Cesar - who else was any good? • I think Geiger has clearly become the best ref in MLS.
Although I am sure some will think I am trying to steal credit from Heaps, I am not: could the addition of a stronger assistant be helping here? Only if we can have in writing that they won't Shilawtsky (I can't remember the spelling) him if he can't sustain a high level performance.
I remember that Brettschneider hit a golazo as well, and never repeated it. So yes, clearly, it's not like Mullins has a job for life.
You are not the only one... Armchair Analyst: The best MLS player you're not watching plays for the New England Revolution May 3, 2014 Matthew Doyle MLSsoccer.com
i'll admit I was down on these guys after Houston thrashed us in the opener but I'm seriously having fun following these guys this year.
Phenomenal win by the boys tonight. Nothing bad to say, just proud of the effort for our first ever win at Toronto. Well done guys.
Are you kidding? He had no chance at all. He was moving the other way and there was no way he could have changed direction and get that.