Bobby Wood Has "Huge" Performance Against Toronto FC
Bobby Wood Has "Huge" Performance Against Toronto FC
“[Wood scored a] big goal. He's our leading goal scorer. He's pretty active and had a solid performance tonight, and being a part of the two goals says a lot.”
Entering the 2023 season, New England Revolution fans weren’t expecting Bobby Wood to be the club’s leading scorer but 19 games into the season, Wood is doing just that as he is tied with Carles Gil after his performance against Toronto FC.
Against Toronto, Wood tallied a goal and an assist, the third time he has done so this season. No other player has done so in all of MLS.
His goal was crucial, coming in the 33rd minute with New England down a goal. Wood rocketed a shot past Greg Ranjitsingh to bring the Revs back into the game before half.
Bruce Arena described it as a “big goal” and was impressed with the striker’s performance.
“[Wood scored a] big goal,” he said. “He's our leading goal scorer. He's pretty active and had a solid performance tonight, and being a part of the two goals says a lot.”
Wood’s impact would continue in the second half as he connected with Giacomo Vrioni on what was the game-winning goal. It was Wood’s fourth assist this season which also leads the club.
It was great to see the two strikers work well together, especially with Gustavo Bou being subbed out at halftime due to muscle discomfort according to Arena postgame. Hopefully, La Pantera isn’t out too long but if he is, Wood and Vrioni seem to be building chemistry.
Andrew Farrell believed that Wood was “huge” for New England on Saturday night.
“He’s been great,” Farrell said. “Bobby came in, he’s been working hard since preseason, had a little bit of an injury, and kind of just grinded through it and when he gets his chances, he usually puts the ball in the back of the net. As a forward that is what you want and as a teammate that is what you want. I think tonight he was huge.”
While Wood’s stellar play is more than welcome, it is providing some challenges for Arena. New England’s group of strikers is quite deep and includes two Designated Players in Bou and Vrioni. If Vrioni builds off his performance against Toronto, the starting XI will be calling his name.
But Wood deserves to be starting, even if all the strikers are healthy. His hold-up play has been fantastic and his stats prove that he has been the best striker for the Revolution so far this season. Moving him to the bench would almost be criminal.
Considering his career and being 30 years old, fans wondered if Wood could maintain his form and stay healthy in 2023. Saturday night just proved that the striker’s output isn’t going anywhere as he will continue to be a key part of the Revs attack.
Health has always been the problem for Wood, he's great when fit. Have to hope he's able to manage staying fit for the rest of the year as Bou is injury prone and Vrioni has been hot and cold.
Shood he be in the conversation for the MLS All-Star team? Even just a couple weeks ago I would have said that's poppycock but now I'm starting to wonder.