Friday, April 6, 2018

Will This Team Ever Lose Again?


Part of being a Big J Journalist is being able to ask the tough questions. You don't always want to do it, but its just something that needs to be done. All part of the role you play. 

And so I must ask the tough question on everyones mind: Will the New England Revolution ever lose another game again ever?

My knee jerk response is quite simple: No. 

After the opening day loss in Philly, the Revs are on a 4-game unbeaten streak that includes 3 wins, with a 10-3 goal advantage in those 4 games. 

Brad Friedel rolled out the same lineup as last time, with the only change being Krisztian Nemeth replacing Zach Heriveaux on the bench. As much as we love Toni Delamea, this game further cemented the fact that Jalil Anibaba is on an absolute heater right now. He's been so good, and it might take injury for him to give up his spot in the XI at this point. It also seems that Teal Bunbury has locked up his spot as a starter. While I think Juan and Nemeth are more talented strikers and better finishers, I can't deny that Teal seems to really fit Brad's system nicely. 

And he proved it by scoring the opening goal after Montreal, already missing captain Ignacio Piatti, went down a man following Saipher Taider's dangerous challenge on Luis Caicedo. 

Now, the TSN crew on my stream was actually very good and objective all game, but in this instance they were in the Spin Zone trying to reason why this should not be a red card. Now, whether it was truly malicious is one thing, that can be argued for sure. But thats a dangerous play. I get that Taider was trying to make a move with the ball. But you know what he left behind? The ball. Instead it looks like he gave up possession and then stomped Caicedo's leg. If it happened to the Revs I'd agree with the red as well. It looks very bad and dangerous, so he got a red. Simple.

But yes, it lead to a Teal goal in back-to-back games.


A good finish, yes, but my goodness, the concentration from Teal on this goal is absolute class. I think last season Teal loses the ball or tried to go up for it and lets Montreal snuff out that attack. Instead, he keeps his eye on it, collects it in the box and composes himself to put it past Evan Bush.

The Revs got awarded a penalty after challenges in the box on Penilla and Teal.


Could have been given for wither challenge, pretty straightforward stuff, so naturally it took roughly 3 days for VAR to confirm. The ref waited for confirmation in his earpiece, and waited, and waited, and waited, and then had to go over to the video himself to watch it, and we waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and in the end it was confirmed to be a spot kick, which Diego took. And it was saved, so VAR just iced a kicker inside Gillette Stadium outside of NFL season for the first time.

Incredible.

But fear not, at the end of the 8 minute stoppage time (lolololol VAR tech not working) Andrew Farrell, in his 5th MLS season, scored his 1st career goal.


My heart is so full! Look at him run after he scores! Look at the team running after him and the pig pile! Look at it! Look how happy he is!

If you don't love seeing that from and for the Big Time Burly Boy, you are a big wet blanket.

Diego made it 3 in the second half.


Beauty of a ball from Rowe, picking out Diego slipping through the back. Kelyn has been shaky with his passing lately, so its good to see him get this one in, get the assist and hopefully get some confidence back.

And finally...


The Marcus Smarf of the Revs opens his account off a set piece. Good movement from the unmarked Zahibo to get behind Dielna and his man, and a nice finish form a guy we've only seen kick field goals from 35 yards out. Not to mention he called it before the game:


I really think the big story is Teal Bunbury. He missed a few chances tonight but overall his play was solid. He really is a good fit for Friedel's system; he works hard at all times, has good movement, a good defensive work rate on the press and can (CAN) finish. I think at this point we have to just accept that he'll miss a few chances per game, but his play as a whole is good enough that Brad can justify playing him.

Teal's play has actually served as a bit of a metaphor for this Revs team this season so far. 

Slow start that left us searching for answers in the opening loss, and from there both Teal and the Revs have gotten better each game. The goals have come for each. They've each been finding their style as of late. Both are on a nice, upwards trajectory as things stand right now.

A few more notes:

-Matt Turner was not tested in the slightest in this game, but he did show one thing I liked. Early on a ball was rolling towards the Revs baseline, with an Impact player in a footrace with Jalil. A lot of the time you'll see a keeper either stay in his net and let the defender sort it out, or make a late or half-hearted run at the ball that can lead to disaster. But Matt Turner was aggressive and went right at it full speed ahead, clearing it with a nice long ball that found Diego. I love that aggressiveness and mindset from the kid to go right at it with no hesitation. The Cult of Turner is growing by the game, won't you join us?


- The refs were pretty spotty on all sides all game long. Just classic MLS.

-The Revs still look a little sloppy, but they're finally starting to settle into their style of play. Brad Friedel's system is starting to take hold like Venom

After starting with a very aggressive and in your face press that gave up possession in exchange for keeping the other team basically entirely out of your half with catastrophic results if they break the lines, Brad has adapted and kept the press but has maintained the more relaxed approach to it that has evened out possession time and made the counter attack more dangerous. They had more chances and more dangerous chances in this game. They look like they're finally playing with a purpose and an identity that is shared entirely with every player not he field and every player that comes in off the bench. It's refreshing to see and a lot of fun to watch.

Man of the Match

Plenty of cases can be mad there, but Farrell take sit for me with his goal and solid defensive play. I mean I'm really supposed to deny this face MOTM honors????

That would be like kicking a large puppy. I also need to make a correction. Zahibo is not the Semi of this team, as I noted earlier he is the Smarf. Andrew Farrell is the leader of the Revs Branch of the Ojeleye Factory. Combat muscles for days. A Strong Man at Sport. Thick, jacked frame indeed.

And so, the Burly Boy is your MOTM on this Friday. 

I mean, buddy,,,,


In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit. 

FC Dallas visits The Fortress in 8 days for a 730 PM kickoff. Keep. This Ball. ROLLING. 

REVS 4-0 Montreal. Cue the music!






Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)