I do not think I was the only person who thought the New England Revolution were essentially done with their summer transfer business. After the major acquisition of Jack Harrison from Leeds, the Revs are essentially waiting for starters Leo Campana, Luca Langoni, and Ilay Feingold to return to the lineup from injury, and that would be three pretty key reinforcements right there.
But as the Revs head to Columbus' Scotts-Miracle Gro Field for Sunday's 430pm kickoff against the Crew, they have found an odd "trade" partner in their weekend opponent. Okay, so New England is likely to add F/M Daniel Gazdag after the announced buyout for the former Union DP that they acquired about a year and a half ago from Philly.
Josh Nye
Nothing official yet, but the Revs seemingly are looking at making the veteran attacker a TAM-level offer, and there are several reasons I think this is a really shrewd bit of business from New England.
First, contrary to what the cynical hashtag might believe, I do think it reinforces just a little bit more that the Revs are trying to go for it right now. I don't believe New England thought they'd be in third or fourth place (or fifth with Charlotte winning yesterday) with a legit chance to perhaps win a playoff series in Marko Mitrovic's first year, but the rapid growth of his young side has the team ahead of schedule. I think it's great the Revs are confident in adding another significant piece like they did with Jack Harrison (winger was a position of need) and are balancing their long-term and more youth-focused goals with their short term success.
Thomas Pinzone
Second, Gazdag is a fairly well-known quantity within MLS, specifically his time in Philly when he operated as a playmaker/second striker and New England could really use that type of player right now. Not only would Gazdag be able to spell Carles Gil fairly regularly late in games or as a spot starter, but he can also help dictate and operate a more direct, counter style that the Revs have had a lot of success with and I have been asking them to do more of.
We've already seen what the addition of a great crosser has done for New England with Harrison adding a bunch of assists already. Gazdag being able to contribute to the lineup as either a starter or off the bench and help add to the scoresheet in a variety of ways should make an already versatile and dangerous Revs team even that much more, especially in late game situations.
Third, as much as I am bought into the Revs ethos of playing the kids...you still need a few crafty veterans to help show those youths how it's done. And adding a player who has 66G/37A in almost 170 regular season appearances is certainly a worthwhile player to have around. If Gazdag gets a few spot starts around the formation, maybe one or two as a true second striker next to someone to present another look that isn't a 4-2-3-1 to the rest of the league, and mostly give Gil a breather on a regular basis, then I think this could be a masterful signing by Tierney and the Revs front office.
Now, Gazdag hasn't been at his best in Columbus over the last year or so, but I think that comes down to a clash of styles. The generally aggressive and more direct Union seem much better suited to Gazdag's game than the possession-based Crew (who have also had several key injuries), and unleashing that skill set especially late in games could really help New England put teams away by adding to their lead.
Being more direct and aggressive is something I've wanted the Revs to do more of, but it's a lot easier said than done. Having a player used to that style and tempo however is sure to help the cause...even if Gazdag might be a little rusty and very much in need of a change of scenery. Hopefully a few wins and getting his name on the scoresheet a couple of times will quickly cure what ailed Gazdag in Columbus.
There's a lot ailing the Crew at the moment. Joining us as always is our good friend Tyler Fisher of Massive Report to try and figure out just how the vaunted Crew have found their way into the Eastern basement. Be sure to head on over to their site for all of their game coverage.
Josh Nye
TBM: Gazdag Out? How surprising is this move for the Crew? Where has Gazdag been playing mostly for Columbus and how effective has he been over the last year or so?
TF: It's not surprising, but it is disappointing. I feel like he could've really shined. He's been getting better, but he hasn't been his former self since joining Columbus. He's been playing as a 10, but if you know Columbus... They are a more possession-based team than an attack-minded team like Philadelphia was during his tenure there.
TBM: Four straight losses in all competitions, I'm sure the Leagues Cup exit was a little disappointing but that meltdown in stoppage time against Nashville seems very out of character for Columbus? What is going wrong in Crewland right now?
TF: Man, if only I knew... it's been very, very rough. The Nashville loss stings, because we were right there. But, again... defense has been very suspect. As for the Leagues Cup, I think it's good that we got bounced. I don't think I could handle Diego Rossi scoring on his former Club. But yeah.. things are not well over here.
TBM: Crew are looking to bring in Santi Rodriguez from Botafogo, is he going to be shoring up an area of need? Are there other rumors/replacements inbound?
TF: IF the deal gets done, he will be shoring up the Gazdag spot I believe. I believe Tapia will get more minutes, and now that Gazdag is gone, a front three of Habroune-Tapia-Rodriguez could at least get us goals. Whether it gets us out of the basement is beyond me.
TBM: Somehow the Crew are dead last in the East right now, do they deserve to be in that spot? Is there any hope of salvaging the season in the second half?
TF: To be honest, yes, we deserve that spot. This is about as bad as the team from 2016. The only hope of salvaging the season is winning the U.S. Open Cup. But even that is a long shot.
Lineup/Injuries/Predictions/Etc.
GK: Schulte
DEF: Amundsen - Zawadzki (c) - Moreira
MID: Farsi - Chambost - Karumanchi - Herrera
ATT: Habroune - Tapia - Martinez
The injury report is sent out the day before matchday, but I do know Wessam Abou Ali is out.
Prediction: 1-1
