BEFORE THE GAME THOUGHTS:

 

The New England Revolution are in a 8 game losing streak, just one shy of the club record.  The Revs have only scored 4 goals in these 8 games, while  conceding 19 goals.   At times during the team has looked bad, passed the ball poorly, unable to either create many scoring chances or maintain possession. With fans calling for action from the front office, can Jay Heaps save his job for another week?

The Revolution (7 wins 11 loses 2 ties) with 23 points will be playing the Colorado Rapids (8 wins 6 losses 6 ties) with 30 points, who currently occupy a playoff spot in the tougher western conference. Some managers would switch the formation or try something new, Jay Heaps is sticking to the same 4-5-1  formation.  Will this stubbornness  help the team through this, or be what ends Jay Heaps time as manager?

There were two switches in the starting 11 from last Saturday. First defender Kevin Alston started at left back, replacing normal starter Chris Tierney, who got hurt in the last game vs Columbus. This is his first start since May 3rd at Toronto.   The second was inserting forward Charlie Davies in place of rookie Patrick Mullins, who started the game on the substitute bench.

 

GAME ACTION:

  • The Revs again enjoyed possession for most of the game.
  • The Revs did score first, and have a lead in a game for the first time since their win vs DC United May 24th. Lee Nguyen had a shot that was deflected in by a Rapids defender (Drew Moor)
  • At halftime the game was 1-0. But the Revs had control most of the half.
  • They really exploited the left side of the Rapids defense.
  • Teal Bundbury, Andrew Farrell were passing the pall well together, pounding that left side of Colorado’s defense, other Revs players joined the attack, someone was always moving around, looking to get open.
  • The Revs also had more energy, excitement tonight. They challenged hard for every ball, beating the Rapids players to most 50/50 balls. Revs were also able to operate in the middle more tonight.
  • Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe were able to have more time it seemed with the ball on their feet.
  • 2nd half was more of the same.
  • Colorado had a few crosses into the penalty area, including one cross the Rapids forward Edson Buddle nearly was able to get his head on it. If he did it would of been a goal most likely.
  • Other then that Revs goalie Bobby Shuttleworth, who for most of the game was a spectator, was forced to make one good diving save to his right down low, with a Rapids player nearly able to put the rebound away before the Revs cleared the loose ball.
  • The Revs were able to keep up the pressure on Colorado.
  • Also continued to attack down the right side again.
  • They even forced Rapids keeper Clint Irwin to make a few saves and one shot going wide to his right.
  • In the 69th minute Colorado defender, Thomas Piermayr, pick up a 2nd in game yellow card, receiving a red card, after a hard challenger on Steve Neumann, near the Rapids pk area, giving away a free kick.
  • Lee Ngyuyen buried the free kick, top right corner, fooling Rapids goalie who started to go left thinking Lee would shot over the wall, instead of around.
  • Minutes later Lee would assist Kelyn Rowe for the 3rd and final goal of the night. Final score 3-0 to the Revs.
  • When asked after the game about his now famous celebration (sitting on the ads and pretending to row a boat after scoring a goal) Kelyn Rowe said he planned on not celebrating because of the current losing streak, he felt it wasn’t appropriate
  • skip to minute 2:48 to hear my question to Lee Nguyen after the game, or hear the whole 3:15 interview

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyjgpbb6Juo?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

  • Skip to minute 1:00 to hear my question to Scott Caldwell, or hear whole 1:58 interview
  • [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqVZy8lAv0Q&w=560&h=315]

Post game thoughts:

For now, Jay Heaps saved his job. It was great to see the Revs get a win, snapping that 8 game losing streak.    The headlines and story was getting hard to write, and not just for me, but others too.  But the next game will be this Saturday on the road in NY against the Redbulls. No time to celebrate this one, and now lets hope the Revs can build on this win.

One criticism, I must point out, again for the 2nd week in a row. Diego Fagundez had a chance to score in the first half.   Same situation, receives ball in penalty area near goalie, but this time on his right side with  a defender in front of him.  After making a move to his left, and with an opportunity to shot the ball with his left, he tries to shoot with his right, and over the bar.   I feel, and others inside the press box also felt the same, he needed to shot with his left in that situation.   Once again I heard my youth couch yelling in my head.    You wont always have a chance 100% of the time to shoot with your strong foot, and in soccer, you should know how to pass and at least try to shoot with both feet.    I understand he is only 19 years old, but this is also his 4th season with the team too.