P/I/P Match 25: Revs vs NYRB, Wed 8/30/23 7:30p [R]

The Red Bulls have been our "bogey" team this year--we just don't match up well against them, but most other teams don't have a problem. I wouldn't say that this is a "must win" game, but it's pretty close to that, as we need to be in a good spot for the playoffs

 

This is our 3rd time against them this year - first at home though.

 

Just saw the starting group. Wondering if should watch Messi now or wait for the goals to start pouring in. Omar and Sweat starting??? Polster on the outside? Buck on the bench? Rennicks not?...Zero chance

 

I have to admit, before kickoff I wasn't feeling too good about this. But the Revs were excellent -- much better than last week -- against a team whose press has usually given them trouble. Our makeshift back line was fully equal to the task, and who'd have thunk it?

And I'll note in passing that Kaye and Harkes have been terrific pickups for the Revs. They're making a world of difference, and we acquired them for peanuts, really.

 

A starting backline of Polster-Omar-Romney-Sweat with Earl in goal went the full 90 and pitched a shutout. I don't care that it is against a team with an anemic offense like the Red Bulls. The team played very well under the circumstances, definitely should have gotten more than just the one with better finishing, and got a much needed three points.

And I just have to say...how many times does Carles have to get targeted for abuse before a red card comes out? Seriously, how does that blatant hack at the legs not qualify as serious foul play and violent conduct? Yeah, he whines at the refs too much, but when he is on the receiving end of so many hits and hacks, can you blame him?

That aside, great result tonight.

 

For a team with only three starters you'd expect to see based on early expectations, they did alright. Sweat even played a couple of good balls, which is about two more than I expected. Chancaly looked good enough that he might be a factor once he settles in. Romney was a rock, as usual. Every time I see him live, I'm little more confused about why Nashville let him go.

 

Nice goal by Vrioni. I would like to see him and Bou up front when he gets back.

 

i have to admit ... I was wrong and Im glad for the win. The makeshift defense didnt hurt us though I am concerned about out inability to score multiple goals. Cant go far with 1 goal in 2 games and I see no solution in sight. Omar played well, I still dont think Williams is the answer and if Arena stays as GM he will have the duty of cutting him lose if it comes to that

 

A few random thoughts:
I was about ready to have a heart attack when in the first half Carlos was dribbling the ball down the field and caught his foot in the turf. I thought not another knee surgery. Luckily it turned out to be nothing.

I was impressed with the effort that Nacho put in to get back and defend. Several times he sprinted back down the field to help the defense. You don't see that effort from too many players. Also, I thought that Omar and Sweat played a decent game.

I like MAK, not only does he play a solid defense, but when he tackles the ball away he's looking to move the ball up the field, not just pass it back to the CBs.

I thought that foul on Gil late in the second half should have been a red card. There was no attempt to play the ball. For the good of the game and league, you need to show reds for plays like that to let everybody know that is not acceptable.

Overall, it was a good solid win, with decent play from the backups. This is encouraging as the Revs make a final push to the playoffs.

 

I had the same reaction

 

Big bounce-back win. Both because they needed it and because the 'depth' guys all stepped up. Omar was excellent. Sweat was good, no issues with Earl in goal - he handled everything thrown his way. I'm starting to become a a Nacho Gil fan. He competes when he's in there and, as was mentioned, is not above defending. Bobby Wood's touch....the good strikers score in that situation - the ball was put on a platter for him. But I'll give him a pass as he's been out.

I liked what I saw of Chancelay, though you can see he's still trying to fit in with new teammates. One thing of note - Tommy Mac at one point thought his number was being called when Williams made his first round of subs - then looked pretty disappointed when he learned it wasn't him that Williams wanted. The midfield has gotten crowded all of a sudden.

 

I saw the same thing - I felt really bad for him. Hope he gets some minutes soon.

 

If you didn't already realize your are overly negative, you should now.

Yeah - Sweat wasn't horrible - and that was his best performance yet for the Revs.

Omar was excellent IMO. I've thought since the beginning of the season that people who thought he was worthless were basing it solely on last season - and mostly a few disastrous weeks early on. Since then, he's been effective.

Two solid starts in a row - if he does it again on Saturday, I'm going to favor him over the erratic Farrell.

These 2 games were against some of the best defensive clubs - and Montreal has been a very tough team at home.

I thought we were on the verge of busting the game open a number of times, but just didn't quite click. That said, we're still missing a lot of our attacking options - and Chancalay is far from being on the same page with his teammates.

Yeah, I was kind of surprised he didn't get a run out. OTOH, I watched him with RII and wasn't impressed.

-------

I thought this was a very good bounce-back game for Buck - he seemed to show a lot of the assertiveness that's been a big part of his success early on.

There were good things from Chancalay, but he's got a ways to go to learn his teammates and the league. You could see that the physicality surprised him.

Against these pressing teams, like RB and Montreal, we still seem to be trying to play through the tight spaces, rather than switch it efficiently to find open space. And, I thought our defensive/midfield passing was just sloppy enough to kill most opportunities to work out of the press.

And, too many opportunities where we just looked too afraid to pass the ball forward and resorted to playing the ball back until finally booting it upfield to give up possession. If we're going to do that, why not take a chance with a testing pass? We're maintaining possession only long enough to hand it back from a deeper position.

 

I'll tell you what, this group has really changed my feelings about the game.

I went to the game last night and honestly felt kind of 'meh' about the game. We were at home playing against a bad team and the game lacked a certain 'fluidity'. Seemed we had trouble getting into a rhythm and didn't show much offensive 'pizzaz'. Now, I love winning, obviously, but it wasn't the 'get right' game I was hoping for if we are going to be a contender.

So I wasn't feeling so hot about it....

But then you guys reminded me that for some reason New York is a tough match up for us, and not only that, instead of having a back 5 of Jones-Romney-Kessler-Bye-Petro we had Sweat-Romney-Gonzalez-Polster-Edwards and we STILL PITCHED A SHUTOUT! That's incredible.....and there weren't many opportunities to sweat out either, which is further kudos to the defense.

Obviously Bye and Petro won't be back, but hopefully we can shore up our D some more and make a run at this thing. Hopefully Kessler, Jones, and Farrell all can contribute to a stretch run.

 

Does Tomas Chancalay make anyone else nervous? Don't get me wrong, he contributed to some good buildup, but he seems a little 'too eager' to win the ball back sometimes making some questionable slide tackle attempts (that I fear will get him into trouble).

 

Oh....and talk about a big fail from the Revolution scoreboard people.

I was wondering if they would have a new opening video (since the old one had multiple shots of Petro), and they DID! I thought that was pretty cool.

BUT what wasn't cool is that they must have played an old starting lineup video. While announcing starters the video board showed Petro and Bou before they finally killed the feed.