Bruce Arena Pleased With Progress of Giacomo Vrioni
"Again, he really missed 2022 so this is basically his first year with our club and in this league. So, it takes a little time and I've been pleased with his progress over the last couple of weeks.”
While Giacomo Vrioni might be frustrated with the start of his 2023 season, Bruce Arena isn’t too concerned about the performance from his striker.
Vrioni has yet to find the back of the net and the Designated Player has come off the bench the last two games. In 112 minutes, he only has one shot.
While some might be alarmed by the play of Vrioni to start the season, head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena isn’t too concerned.
“Well, we don't discuss our conversations with our players to the press, but [Giacomo Vrioni] continues to improve,” Arena said. “Again, he really missed 2022 so this is basically his first year with our club and in this league. So, it takes a little time and I've been pleased with his progress over the last couple of weeks.”
Vrioni is relatively new in New England after joining the Revs in the middle of the 2022 season. He appeared in seven games and managed to score a goal,
But with the DP tag — expectations are high — and fans can become impatient. If Vrioni can find the back of the net soon, all parties will be pleased.
Center back Dave Romney is also a newcomer to New England after he was acquired via a trade with Nashville SC. Ahead of the clash against his former team, Romney talked about getting to know Vrioni on and off the field.
“He's extremely talented,” Romney said of Vrioni. “He makes really good movements in and around the box and he's a clinical finisher and he's kind of my locker buddy. I sit next to him in locker room and he's one of the nicest guys I’ve been around, so it's nice to be around him and it's cool how authentically Italian he is. I think the sayings he has that I love and so it's just he's just been a really good teammate, and on the field he's class in front of goal, makes good movements, works really hard, so it's been nice having him as a teammate.”
Vrioni’s aerial ability and clinical finishing will be needed against Nashville. New England has been unable to secure a win against the club from Tennessee.
This is in part due to the great defensive ability of Gary Smith’s side. With Walker Zimmerman, Shaq Moore, and Dan Lovits, it is hard for opponents to create chances when Nashville bunkers down. When you add in an impressive goalkeeper in Joe Willis, it is nearly impossible.
So New England and Vrioni will be put to the test. Hopefully they bounce back and secure their first win over Nashville SC in club history.