Cincy won last night over NYCFC 4-2, so that simplifies things a bit. If the Revs make it into the next round, they're hosting either NYCFC or DC.
Cincy was down 2-0 after 61 minutes, then made 3 substitutions that turned the game around, scoring 4 goals in the last 11 minutes of regulation.
This should be an interesting game tonight. Nashville has lost 7 in a row (all comps) and scored only 3 goals. But they come in knowing they have to win by at least 2 goals. Will the Revs bunker and try to survive (most likely)? Or will they try to match them in a shootout (and I don't mean the PK kind). With no Kessler, and Parker cup-tied, if they go 3 in the back it would mean Arreaga, Romney and Mensah. No chance of Langoni tonight either (Porter implied Revs would be lucky if he was cleared to play by the Montreal game Aug 24th).
The last 15 minutes or so of the match the fans were yelling at the team to push forward and attack when they were very content to knock it around the midfield and let the clock wind down. Porter was purposely holding them back - as the only way the Revs wouldn't advance was to give up 2 more goals. I'd say a sizeable chunk of the folks there tonight had no idea that they were watching a tournament match.
That was an ugly game to watch (especially after minute 3), but the mission was accomplished. Revs were outshot 19-7, SOG 5-3, xG 1.9 - 1.0. But the eye-popper was corner kicks: 15-0! Usually defending corners is a weakness, but they were up to the task last night, as it seemed the Revs got first touch to the majority of them. They played bunkerball, but at least Porter didn't bring in a third CB (maybe he has finally learned that doesn't work with this team). The goal was nice though, beautiful passes by Harkes and Panayotou to setup Wood's first of the year. Plenty of blame to go around on the NSH goal, but Kaye was jogging back and left Surridge open. Revs now host NYC on Friday night (7:30p) for the right to face the winner of Tigres and Pachuca.
I left at around the 88th minute and heard the end on the radio. They were wrapping things up at the end of the game and were pretty surprised that the pks were coming.
A few random thoughts: It was a nice win. The goal was a beauty. How do you have a 4 on 3 in first-half stoppage time leading 1 - 0? I see Tommy "back-pass" Mac didn't miss a beat with all the time off. Late in the game Arreaga makes a run up the field with the ball, and passes to T Mac, who nonchalantly passes it back to him surrounded by 4 defenders. It kills me when you have players out there who are unaware of their surroundings and or situation. It didn't matter in the end, but I wish they showed Boateng's PK a little closer. It looked like it was in. Maybe a fraction of the ball didn't cross the line, but the majority of the ball looked over. The kids played well. Given the current state of the Revs, I would be happy to see them play out the season. I think the Revs need a major overhaul this off-season.
I think only Miller will continue to start when everyone is healthy. Gil, Vrioni, Borrero, and Langoni will be back in when ready, leaving no room for Buck, Panayotou or Esmir. Looks like Sands is ahead of Spaulding on the LB depth chart.
I watched the replay carefully at the time, cuz I had the same thought. Upon replay, it looked like the mark/clod of "rubber dirt" amid the artificial blades of grass poofed way well ON the line. Maybe 2/3 the ball was over the line, but it definitely not all of it, IMO.
With last night's win, the Revs have given themselves a chance to host the next two games. If they can win those, they would also host the quarterfinal, as long as Columbus doesn't win their side of the bracket (SKC, TFC, Miami).
MATCHDAY GUIDE | Revs vs. New York City FC (Leagues Cup Round of 32) Jeff Lemieux posted: Wednesday, Aug 7, 2024, 04:10 PM
well it would actually be nice having players like Buck and Esmir to bring off the bench and add to the attack. right now our biggest offensive threat off the bench is panayotou or Frye
True. And personally I would start Buck over Kaye, but for some inexplicable reason, Porter doesn't agree with me
Tigres beat Pachuca last night, so if the Revs manage to win tonight, they would host Tigres next. Supposedly Tigres has 14 players that would be DP contracts if they were in MLS. Revs have zero (healthy)....
Preview | Knockout rounds begin as Revs host New York City FC in Leagues Cup Round of 32 Nick Boonstra posted: Thursday, Aug 8, 2024, 04:49 PM Seems like this pair is becoming the default for games in Foxboro: We also have to root for Montreal to lose, if not tonight in Philly, then sometime before the semi-finals, so that the Revs regular season game on Aug 24th doesn't get postponed.
A bit of a shocker in San Jose last night, with the current MLS Wooden Spoon leaders beating Liga MX's Necaxa 5-0. In the East, Miami was up 3-1 after the 20th, picked up a red in the 28th and then had to hold on to beat TFC 4-3.
So a couple of years ago, the Revs and Gilletre Stadium/Krafts didn't talk to each other and set up the Army/Navy game on the same day as MLS Cup was set for. "Luckily" for the Krafts, the Revs lost to NYCFC and the issue didn't matter. This year, if the Revs won the Eastern bracket of the Leagues Cup, as long as they don't play St. Louis ... they would host. On August 24th. The same day as the Kenny Chesney concert. At Gillette. SMDH.
And to think we were mocking Nashville with "Country isn't real music" the other night. Kenny Chesney is making us eat our words. Wait, August 24? Aren't we supposed to be in Montreal then?
I 1000% agree. I am not a Kaye fan. Some will probably tell me that Kaye and Buck serve different roles, but I would much rather see Buck's potential (even if unpolished) than Kaye's rather blank style of play.