Saturday, September 17, 2016

Back On Track



Less than a week after a soul-crushing loss in the US Open Cup Final, the Revs were back at it in league play, and picked up where they left off. 3-1 win up in Montreal, coming straight from Dallas, and extending their recent MLS form to three straight wins in convincing fashion. There's no telling if they'll be able to do this when the chips are down in a big game or in a playoff scenario, but god damn is it fun to watch this team right now.

Staying with a very similar lineup as the past three games, including the USOC Final, but with Kei Kamara back to a starting role up top. He hadn't been in the XI since August 28 due to international duty and a slight injury (though I have my speculations he wasn't really injured, more tired/Heaps didn't want to rush him into a lineup that was clicking without him). Same look at goalie with Brad in net and Cropper on the bench. Farrell, London, JoGo and Tierney at the back, Caldwell at the base of the diamond with Koffie out, Lee, Kelyn and Diego manning the other midfield spots, and Juan partnering with Kei up top. Obviously things are going good with this group and this formation right now, so aside from injuries, and wanting to get Kei in there, no reason to change anything.

Good vibes right from the jump...




Ooooh mama! That's how you start a game boys! Kalyn with little to no pressure and plenty of space, meaning he can serve up a nice ball and just let the big man bang bodies and do the rest of the work with his head. Those are the kinds of goals we all expected form Kamara when we acquired him, so if the crosses to his forehead start picking up now, it could add a killer dimension to this offense and potentially put them over the top at a perfect time.

Not long after it was Juan with a chance after Lee had a long ball swatted away...

Really need him to not miss those chances. It's a tough angle, but he's quality and in the form of his life right now. Obviously didn't end up hurting the Revs, but you should still bury that.

Rowe, Rowe, Rowe your boat...

From outside the 18-yard box and skips it far post and in. Beauty of ball, well placed, and what I almost like just as much is Juan on that play. Don;t take what I just said as negative about him. I just think he's a very good player and has the capabilities to put those home. This Rowe goal shows he has the mindset as well. Crashing the net like a hockey player ready to scoop up any loose rebounds and poach a goal. Forwards don't always do that, even though they should. Juan is hungry, and this is just one example of that.

Penalty to Montreal...

And the conversion...

Not much London could really do there. Ball hits him in the box form point blank range. Only other option besides trying to turn quickly so it hits your back is to just put your hands behind the back, take the shot to the front and hope it doesn't hit you below the belt. And then you'e not stopping Drogba on a PK. Just no shot.

It's that man again...

Another good looking goal. Fantastic service in from Tierney's left foot, Juan being physical in front of the net helping to cause the rebound chance that Kelyn hits on the half volley with his left peg.

Could have had four...

That's just cruel. Soccer Gods apparently punishing Juan now for being too in-form, and then Kelyn gets unlucky. Impact defender getting part of the leg on his shot to get it to the post.

When you slide into the DMs but take the L...

And that was all she wrote. Good team win, multiple guys finally hitting their stride, and better now than never. Now get Diego to a dentist STAT. Far too pretty to have half a tooth.

And not to mention we have a pretty cool club president:



Man of the Match

En fuegoooooo. Probably the team MVP for the whole year, but he really left his mark on this one. Two goals and an assist, and has really found his place as a creative midfielder in the middle with the 4-4-2 Diamond formation. Whenever trade talks used to be brought up, Kelyn was one of the first guys mentioned. People said we couldn't have him and Diego since one would always have to sit, but now that there's a solution to that issue I never want to see Kelyn brought up in trade talks ever again.

Next Sunday at 7 PM on FS1,  the Revs visit Columbus to take on the Crew and their hideous jerseys. Rest up and get ready to rip. Playoffs are within reach....


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