Here is the line-up I’d like to see the Revs start tomorrow night against Atlanta: --------------------------------------Petrovic------------------------------- Jones-------------------Farrell-------------------Romney-------------Makoun -------------------------------Buck----------------Polster---------------------- Bajraktarevic--------------------------Gil----------------------------------Boateng --------------------------------------------Vrioni------------------------------------------ Formation and Backline: Against Chicago last Saturday, the Revs started in a 3-5-2. In the match, the Revs gave up three goals at home to the team with the 8th worst record in the league. In addition, the Revs have tended to play well in a 4-2-3-1. So, I think they should start in a 4-2-3-1 tomorrow. Although the Revs did score three goals against Chicago while playing most, if not all, of the match in a 3-5-2, it seems unlikely that they can count on scoring at least three goals against Atlanta on the road tomorrow. So, tomorrow, I think it would be better to have four players (instead of just three) in the back for solidity. If the Revs were to start in a 4-2-3-1 tomorrow, one option for a starting backline would be to start Dave Romney and Christian Makoun as the center-backs, with DeJuan Jones at left back and Andrew Farrell at right back. In the last 15 minutes against Chicago on Saturday, Farrell played right back. He seemed to play fine there in the match. It’s also a position he has played a lot in MLS. But I’m uneasy with Makoun at center-back. For one, he had the bad back-pass that led to Chicago’s first goal on Saturday night. Although Farrell had an own-goal against Chicago and has been making about one costly mistake per game, I have more confidence in him at center-back than I do in Makoun. Farrell is extraordinarily experienced at the position and has played many very good games there for the Revs. I’m still learning about Makoun as a player. Although he is physically strong and athletic, he doesn’t seem to be the best on the ball. Also, in the Revs 2-1 win against Kansas City on April 22, Makoun started at left back: https://www.fotmob.com/match/4084775/matchfacts/new-england-revolution-vs-sporting-kansas-city I remember him playing reasonably well in the match. For one, he wasn’t responsible for Kansas City’s goal. Midfield: One option would be for Bruce Arena to start Matt Polster and Latif Blessing as the two defensive-midfielders, with Noel Back at right midfield. Another option would be to start Polster and Buck as the two defensive-midfielders, with Esmir Bajraktarevic at right midfield. By a very narrow margin, I would go with the latter. I think Buck’s physical qualities and playing style are better suited for central midfield than outside midfield. He’s strong on the ball and reads the game well, but he is not blazing fast or a player that seems able to beat players one-on-one on the dribble. He’s more Claudio Reyna than Cobi Jones. Also, although Blessing has good qualities, including quickness, Buck might be more of a difference-maker at central midfield than Blessing. The goal he scored against Chicago playing central midfield was excellent. Although Bajraktarevic is young and inexperienced, he’s skillful and 8th on the team in expected goals per game. Blessing is 19th. Here: https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/130/...oals/team/6580/new-england-revolution-players Also, Bajraktarevic didn’t play any minutes against Chicago, so he will be totally fresh tomorrow. Another option would be to start Polster and Buck as the defensive-midfielders, with Blessing at right midfield. But when Blessing has played outside midfield for the Revs, he hasn’t been particularly goal-dangerous. Forward: Whether it would be a better idea for the Revs to start Bobby Wood or Giacomo Vrioni at center forward tomorrow against Atlanta is a hard call. Wood leads the team in goals (4), assists (3), is second on the team in expected goals per game (here), and scored 1 goal and provided 1 assist last weekend. But in the last game, Vrioni seemed more goal-dangerous than Wood. And he might be more explosive than Wood at this point in their careers. Bobby has had a lot of trouble with his knees, and he’s 30 now. How would Bobby do starting two games over the course of just four days? If Bruce starts Vrioni, I’m sure Wood would ask himself: "I lead the team in goals and assists and had a goal and an assist in the last game. What do I have to do to start?" And I see where he is coming from. But in the last game, Vrioni’s expected goals were .57; Wood’s were .17. And Vrioni just seemed more dangerous. Vrioni also won the ball that led to Buck's goal against Chicago. Here is a link to the play: https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/vi...te-to-life-with-stunning-strike-from-distance So, I’d give Vrioni the start.
Vrioni just needs to get starts. We saw earlier in the season that he started hitting his stride once he got regular (non-trailing) playing time. I'd love it if we had more options at wing, but with two of our top wings out long-term (along with McNamara) there are limited choices.
I agree with your suggestions.... 1.) I would play Esmir over Blessing. I haven't been overly impressed with Blessing to this point (still remaining open-minded), and I think Esmir will only get better with more reps. 2.) Also agree with Vrioni over Wood. Wood may have gotten a goal in the last game, but Vrioni has more potential. I think we need to do what we can to unlock it.
I think I saw a picture of Bou in Atlanta on Instagram so maybe he will make it back to the field tonight.
Also just realized, this will be the first Arlington, MA showdown, with Noel Buck going up against Miles Robinson.
I was wrong about Wood leading the team in assists. Carles Gil is first on the team in assists, with 5. But Wood is tied for second with DeJuan Jones, with 3. Here is a link to the team's stats: https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/st...season&club=928&statType=general&position=all As Teskicks mentioned, Gustavo Bou is in a photo walking up the stairway to the Revs' chartered flight. Here is a link to a tweet from the Blazing Musket's Seth Macomber: Gustavo Bou made the trip to Atlanta. He writes, “La Pantera is back.” #NERevs pic.twitter.com/FdL2hRHK7P— Seth (@SethMan31) May 30, 2023 It would be nice to get Bou back on the field. We could use his ball-control and scoring ability. On a different note, another option to start at right midfield is Justin Rennicks. Against Chicago last Saturday, he played the last 15 minutes (including stoppage time) at right midfield, and I walked away with a favorable impression of how he played. He was active and tenacious. And 6 out of his 7 passes were accurate, for a pass-accuracy percentage of 87%. He also recovered the ball twice. And he played a role in the buildup that led to the Revs' corner kick that tied the game. Rennicks is stronger physically than Esmir. He's also more experienced and faster. But Esmir is more skillful, and he played solidly at right midfield in the Revs' 2-0 win against Toronto in Toronto. This season, Esmir has played 332 minutes in 7 games. Rennicks has played 229 minutes in 10 games. I don't get to see them play in practice, so it's hard for me to say which one should start tonight. But based on what I've seen in the games, I would probably start Esmir ahead of Rennicks. The latter's performance against Toronto is a major reason. However, after thinking about it more, I'm conflicted about whether Bruce should start, on the one hand, Polster and Blessing at defensive-midfield and Buck at right midfield or, on the other hand, Polster and Buck at defensive-midfield and Esmir at right midfield. Buck's starting at right midfield might give the Revs another scoring threat from the wing. He has a good left foot (Is he left-footed?). And, when playing right midfield, he can cut in on his left foot and score. That's the way he scored against Miami when the goal was disallowed by VAR. Here's the goal: https://www.tiktok.com/@nerevolution/video/7233786311209913643 Finally, here is a link to Jeff Lemieux's preview of tonight's game: https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/preview-revs-return-to-the-road-begin-busy-week-in-atlanta Lemieux's preview includes this quote from Jozy Altidore: We’ve got to get through this. That's the message to get through these run of games, because we have a lot of players out like you said, so we want to get through this stretch, get through the next three, four weeks and hopefully start to get guys back. We're not the finished product yet and we still have a number of key pieces out, so I think we're all eager to see what we look like at full strength. So, the idea is to get through these weeks, try to get points where we can and make sure we stay up there on the table.
Here's hoping the four game winless streak (all comps) ends tonight. Also, giving up 9 goals over that stretch isn't sustainable if you want a successful season.
At 15 mins. Atlanta’s got the Revs chasing their tails ~ no Revs offense & defense scrambling ineffectually
The announcer *always* says "Derrick Etienne Junior" and never just "Etienne." Never heard anyone do that before.
Were getting run off the field and Arena's solution is Jozy? What color is the sky on yur world Bruce
And that's all she wrote... two scored since the log went on the field. We're playing a man down after all. We're too damn slow