The New England Revolution face Columbus Crew this Sunday 5pm at Gillette Stadium. The Revs hold a 4-2 advantage over the Crew. The only way for the Revs to be eliminated is to lose by 3 goals vs the Crew. If they lose 2-0, the aggregate score would be 4-4 with away goals being the first tie breaker, and since the Revs scored 4 goals away, they would still move on. After what we saw last week I have a hard time seeing the Crew winning at all. The Crew just didn’t look good at all last game, especially their defense and Tyson Wahl, who had a terrible day.
Last game was very chippy, especially the Crew. Last game the ref lost control of the game, and I hope the league tells the ref for this game to clamp down on the fouls. If you watched the last game, you know that Jermaine Jones pretty much got back handed on the face by Waylon Francis on their 3rd goal of the match, away from the play. Well the league fined Jermaine Jones for simulation on that play. In soccer, simulation means you faked the foul. Usually you will see this in the penalty box with the diving player trying to get a pk call. Usually if its obvious, the ref will book the diving player on the spot. The Crews game plan last game was very clear. Be aggressive and bait the Revs players into stupid fouls, and cards, and maybe hopefully a red card. Plan didn’t work. I think we will see more of the same this Sunday. More fouls, tackles, aggressive behavior from the Crew. Hopefully they don’t take bait.
With the Patriots on a bye week this Sunday, lets all STAND with the Revolution, give them our support, show up to the game or tune in at home or your favorite local sports bar. If you are Worcester based and want to find a local soccer bar, the Greyhound pub in Water St is a good place to watch a Revs playoff game!