Aljaz Ivacic "Very Happy" To Help Revs Secure Win Against Nashville
Aljaz Ivacic "Very Happy" To Help Revs Secure Win Against Nashville
Ivacic made a crucial PK save as the Revs collected their third win of the season.
Aljaz Ivacic is ready to help the New England Revolution in any way he can.
On Saturday, that meant making a critical penalty save on Hany Mukhtar during an important moment in the game.
In the 53rd minute, referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot due to a handling offense by Xavier Arreaga. The incident happened two minutes after the Revs went up 2-0 via Esmir Bajraktervic.
The 2022 MLS MVP stepped up having converted 13 of the 15 previous penalties he’d taken during league play.
But Ivacic was up to the task, ensuring that the Revs maintained their two-goal advantage.
“I’m happy that I helped the team,” Ivacic said. “That’s why I came here – to make a difference. As I said, I was going to do it and I proved my words. I’m very happy now for the team and three points, I think that’s the most important thing, more important than the penalty save.”
Ivavic explained that he typically looks to hold his ground for as long as possible to put the kicker under pressure.
On Saturday, he also got some intel from Carles Gil.
“I have to mention that Carles came to me before the PK and he said, ‘Go right,’” Ivavic said with a smile. “So, I said ‘Okay, Carles. I trust you.’ So, I went right. Carles saved the PK, not me. (laughing)”
While Mukhtar scored on his second PK attempt of the night, Ivavic’s earlier save was key in helping the Revs earn a 2-1 result.
Saturday marked Ivacic’s fifth game for the Revolution. The 30-year-old Slovenian has been in net for two of the Revs’ three wins.
Ivavic signed with the Revs on April 23 after spending some time training with the club. He was a free agent due to being waived by the Portland Timbers on March 19.
Ivavic admitted on Tuesday that the time without a team was difficult.
“It wasn’t easy, but I can say I’m very mentally tough,” Ivacic said. “I’m ready. I went through a lot in my career. It wasn’t easy, but I took advantage.
“I trained two times a day even sometimes, because I knew that opportunity would come and I had to be ready. I believe in myself, even maybe when I’m not where I have to be. I know long-term I will get there, and that’s always been my mentality.”
Ivavic is now looking toward the future, hoping that he can help the Revs win the elusive MLS Cup. He also wants to be the Goalkeeper of the Year one day.
This week, Ivacic, along with Gil, was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday. The goalkeeper expressed appreciation for the honor, though he once again mentioned that the team comes first.
“It means a lot,” Ivacic said. “It’s a good thing, but as I said, the most important thing is the win. I’m really happy for the group and for the guys.
“ It wasn’t easy, the past two games. It’s not easy during the week to train [when you are losing]. The atmosphere is just different when you win. So, it’s going to be a much better week now going forward, and I’m really looking forward to the next game.”