Bobby Wood: "I’m Glad I’m Helping the Team as Much as Possible”
Bruce Arena: "He's healthy now, so we're looking forward to some real positive contributions from Bobby.”
Bobby Wood is grateful that he’s a healthy contributor to the New England Revolution.
Wood, 30, came to the Revs after a year-and-a-half stint with Real Salt Lake. He had a promising start to his second season with RSL—contributing three goals and one assist in 14 games—but didn’t register another appearance after undergoing left adductor surgery in late June 2022.
While he did miss some time this year due to a minor heel injury, Wood is feeling good, as made clear by the game-winning goal he scored in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC.
“I’m glad I’m healthy,” Wood remarked when asked what he’s happy about, adding, “I’m glad I’m working hard. I’m glad I’m helping the team as much as possible. I’m just going out there, having fun, and trying to help the team in any way possible. That’s why Bruce brought me in.”
Wood has made seven regular-season starts this year, more than any other striker on the team. While some of that has to do with player availability, Wood has certainly earned the opportunities.
The Hawaiin-born forward has three goals and two assists on the season. He has proven to be a solid target, forging chemistry with Carles Gil and others. He’s also relentless when it comes to pressing.
“[Wood] has given us a solid year,” Arena said. “He's a little different than our other strikers. He has good mobility, he can play with his back to the goal, hold the ball up, and he's good running in the penalty areas, so he's given us a pretty solid performance to date. He's healthy now, so we're looking forward to some real positive contributions from Bobby.”
Between Wood, Giacomo Vrioni, Jozy Altidore, and the currently-injury Gustavo Bou, the Revs have a number of options up top. This creates an atmosphere that pushes each striker to be his best.
Wood noted that this type of competition is seen throughout the roster, which is part of the reason why the team has been successful so far.
“We have a very healthy competitiveness within the squad because our team is deep,” Wood noted. “That’s what’s making everybody stay on their toes and giving us the quality to have a good season so far.”
Where the heck is Gustavus Bou? Is he on full salary?
The Boston Globe wrote a rare full soccer article about him a couple of months back,
but the player they called "The Panther" has hardly been on the field this season.
To me, injuries not withstanding, The Panther might better be known as "The Possum"
Hard not to agree. The one (or two?) times he was on the pitch earlier this season, his work rate and field coverage did seem better, as it he knew he had to up the ante to be a starter. Generally.,
The Panther hasn't had much bite lately. Surely there is some one else out there to take his place.