Sunday’s Decision Day victory will be one to remember for midfielder Javaun Mussenden after playing a massive role in the result that saw New England Revolution II climb to fifth place in the Eastern Conference and secure the club’s third-ever playoff berth.
On top of 47 completed passes, 74 touches, four interceptions, two recoveries, and six duels won, the cherry on top for Mussenden came in the 62nd minute when he got on the end of a failed clearance from Toronto yards outside the box and rocketed a shot goalward. While Mussenden’s initial attempt went straight into a Toronto defender, it ricocheted off the defender and careened into the back of the net, giving New England a vital 2-1 lead.
While Mussenden was confident the initial effort would have gone in if it weren’t for the defender intervening, he admitted there was a slight bit of doubt after seeing it deflect.
“To be honest, I saw it go in the sky, and I was like, ‘Dang. It’s not going in,'" he said.
Mussenden called the Decision Day win a big boost.
“Everyone is excited now that we’re in the playoffs," he added. "Now, it’s just taking this energy and confidence into the next few weeks of training and preparing for the game.”
Javaun Mussenden and New England Revolution II will kick off their quest for the MLS NEXT Pro Cup on October 17 when they travel to Columbus’ ScottsMiracle-Gro Stadium to take on Columbus Crew 2 in the opening round of the playoffs.
