Can the Revs make it 11 in a row? This one really should be 3 points. The next one is the major test. New England Revolution vs Orlando City REF: Alan Kelly AR1: Adam Wienckowski AR2: Matthew Nelson 4TH: Robert Sibiga VAR: Kevin Terry Jr AVAR: Thomas Supple
I like how things have changed to the point where we see a home game vs. a team below us as one where we "should" get all 3 points. Earlier in the year this would be a "must win" game where we would hope for the best (reasonable possibility of beating a bad team) and fearing the worst (reasonable possibility of losing to a bad team). Actually, I just like the fact that there are more than a couple of teams below us!
I'm not sure I agree, but this is a team I don't really understand. On paper, they seem like they should be impressive (Nani, Robinho, Kljestan, Akindele, Dwyer, Méndez) especially going forward. When I watched them against Red Bull, they seemed oddly disconnected. Another weird aspect to the game is that Rev-Harchester games tend to be goalfests. Lastly, I don't trust the ref Alan Kelly, who I think introduces an element of randomness.
Most of those guys mentioned would instantly walk into starting roles on this team. But a team has to be more than the sum of its parts. THAT's what Arena has brought to this team. I don't see a shutout happening. This could definitely be the end of the streak if we're not clicking up front tomorrow night. 2-1 Revs.
This is the first timeThis is the first time I've been on the board and a few years. I've been on the board and a few years. I have gone blind and have needed to find a way of accessing Voice control technology. Similarly I haven't been able to get to games because Similarly I haven't been able to get to games because I no longer can drive. I no longer can drive. Anyway I'm learning how to do all this and it's good to be back. Delighted to see Burns gone it's good to be back. Delighted to see Burns gone without me having to put tar and feather him. Welcome Bruce Arena. Look forward to see the results of tonight's game. Good to be back.
Good to see you back, Doc! The NNN's almost overran the fort while you were away. But it's a new era and we're all back to being hopeful fans. Kumbaya. Three points tonight and the charge up the table continues!
Watched the game --- great win. My MOTM may not be obvious, but I pick Delamea. He kept Orlando off the scoreboard in the first half...and made some very tough/dicey tackles to do it. Great job. I HATE, HATE, HATE the sod over turf field. Just completely changes the game, but the Revs adjusted WAY better than Orlando. And watching Gil and Bou has become a thing of beauty. Love watching the Revs the again!!! And YES, I too hate the "Ecuadorian Delorian" phrase as well.
• This whole Rev thing is just surreal. More than half the team look like different players. • Feeling the Bou effect! • I second the MOTM nod for Delamea, though the hair made him look like he had mental health concerns. That may have been his best game in a Rev uniform. That said, Gil is still King. • And yes, the next time I hear Ecuadorean Delorean will be way too soon. • Is it just me, or is Agudelo playing with more intelligence? • Kelly was a pleasant surprise. • It always seems like the trouble on the defensive end is coming to Turner's left. This time it was on Penilla. • Arena said that if there are that many errant passes against LAFC, we are going to lose; that seems indisputable.
Great to read you on these boards again, Soccer Doc. Welcome Back. The Revs are born from the ashes like the Phoenix.
As one of the NNNs, you are so right, KapeGuy. We were damn close to overrunning the fort, and Hell's gates were in our grasp..... ..... And suddenly , in one Burning moment, we had Bitter Victory snatched from us by Sweet Defeat..... .... and let me tell ya, never has defeat been sweeter...
Another thing I like about Arena is that his version of protecting a lead is to make three attacking subs.
Enjoyed the win, and the waves of attack that we seem to launch now, although I saw a number of attacking passes that seemed to anticipate a run where the recipient was standing waiting for it at his feet; this I think is one of the reason for them going awry. Seems a bit late to talk about "gelling", but there is a bit of that work to be done. Bye needs to work on his crossing, and Penilla seems not in his groove yet. Gil is something else, though and there is clearly more to see from Bou. That shot by Diego, though.. Still worried about the heroics required to keep the ball out of our net. It's working most of the time lately, but shouldn't be required so much, and may very well not continue to work against better teams (e.g., LAFC, as mentioned). Got the opportunity to walk the pitch some before the match because of the season ticket recognition thing. YUCK is all I can say. I'd much prefer grass to FieldTurf in general, like most, but not like that. Seams, hard spots, soft spots. Thought it was was a weird combination of spongy and unyielding, but inconsistent even at that. Inevitable, I suppose, with that kind of installation, but I sort of wonder what it's trying to accomplish -- sure doesn't seem like it would be less prone to injury or that the ball would run better on it. Felt like grass on SportCourt.
Great game. I love to see that energy in the attacking third. in the attacking third. Skill and determination. This team maybe for real after all. This team maybe for real after all. Next week should be Next week should be epic. This is exciting. This post
I have to confess -- I'd gone over to your side. After the disaster in Philadelphia, I abandoned the KAD cause and went into NNN training. But I only got to enjoy hating the management for about a week when the May miracle occurred. Like everyone else, I'm stunned and wondering if this is real.
My favorite part tonight was during the VAR delay -- Bou picked up the ball and was standing all by himself, near the penalty spot, waiting. When the penalty was announced, Gil had to take the ball from him and Bou didn't want to give it up. Reminded me of Khano grabbing the ball for a pk during Super Liga (I think) -- difference was Shalrie let Khano take it. Tonight Gil took the ball from Bou -- and then smoked it in the upper corner just inside the post. I thought Bye was good -- he got skinned by Nani once but mostly defended well and was dangerous on the attack. Castillo scares me -- he is lively on the attack but on defense he gambles by diving into tackles when he doesn't have cover. When he wins the ball it looks cool, but when he misses . . . It looked to me like a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1, with Gil and Teal on the wings, and Bou in front of four mids and Bunbury in front of him. But the attackers all seem to have license to roam so as Arena says, it's hard to say exactly what the formation is.
Weird point to make about Bye in a game where he actually earned an assist from a cross. Better finishing from Bunbury and he'd have 4 in the last 2 games
Bou deserves all the accolades for his goal tonight: the confusion-causing backheel pass, the timing of his run, his control and finish made everything look simple. But Castillo deserves more than a little recognition for his assist- the accuracy and weight of his pass had to be spot on. It was really a pleasure to rewatch. Speaking of announcer criticisms, with the Revs' ongoing success, we have been listening more to WEEI's post-game radio show. Clyde Simms seems, you know, like a really nice guy, you know, but articulate he is not, you know? Funny how the focus of our negativity has shifted.
Besides being annoyed by hearing it; Penilla should be pissed Brad says it....the Delorian was a piece of crap!!
That's the kind of win Belichick likes. You get the W but there are so many things to be unhappy about and work on. I expect Arena is the same way. No laurels to rest on getting ready for LAFC I agree with the comments on Castillo. He has good vision and makes some excellent plays at both ends but, oh my, does he have a terrible defensive mistake most games. Overcommitting and watching the player dig for the box is not what you want from your left back. Jones may be young and less creative but he seems more reliable and with more of an upside. I liked the Agudelo sub. It is nice to have three good options (four if you count Caldwell) for the 6/8 roles. It will be interesting to see who starts this week. I'm guessing we'll see the same pair to disrupt LA though I like Agudelo's linkup to the attack better. Gil is a monster. He shows up everywhere, has great vision, and rides a tackle like no one we've had before. He and Bou are close to connecting so often. It's nice to know that we've got even better things ahead. Penilla is a beast, but it is really frustrating that he has no left foot. (Maybe he's a Delorean with severe torque steering?) There were a couple of plays yesterday where the ball went to die because he had to play it with his right. Particularly that long run with Bou open on the right and Penilla on the left. I think it was Teal who passed to Penilla who shot wide with his right. Bou might have missed, but he was the better choice. Isn't it nice to be nitpicking a 4-1 win?