Justin Rennicks: "I’m Always Hungry For More Goals"
Justin Rennicks: "I’m Always Hungry For More Goals"
The striker netted his first goal of 2023 on Tuesday
With a deep group of strikers, Justin Rennicks has only been able to come on the field in a limited capacity off of the bench but his hunger for goals will be increased after finding the back of the net for the New England Revolution in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.
Rennicks was the main striker for New England in a heavily rotated Bruce Area squad. It was his first start after making five appearances off the bench for the Revolution so far in the 2023 Major League Soccer season. In those five appearances off the bench, he has played just 98 minutes.
Against Hartford Athletic, Rennicks played a full 90 minutes and did a good job in Arena’s eyes.
“He did very well, had a good game,” Arena said when asked about Rennicks. “Maybe had another chance he could have finished off, but I thought he worked really hard. He was running on empty at the end of the game and we didn’t have any other options. I give Justin a lot of credit. He did a good job tonight.”
The 24-year-old striker scored the first goal of the match for New England. Damian Rivera served up a corner kick to the near post and Rennicks managed to get his head on the ball (albeit from an awkward angle) and sneak the ball past Richard Sanchez.
“It was a front-post run,” Rennicks said when describing his goal after the game. “The ball was luckily played a little bit short, so I was able to kind of scoop it through and run on goal. You know what happens when the ball goes on frame, anything can happen.”
One goal can spark a player to go on a run. Revolution fans can just look at the recent explosion of goals from Giacomo Vrioni after scoring off the bench against CF Montreal.
Even after scoring his first goal of the year, Rennicks is hungry to score more.
“Yeah, one goal is great. I wanted to get another, maybe even two more, but that’s just not how the game went,” the striker said. “We still won, so it’s okay. I’m always hungry for more goals, every game.”
Rennicks has something to prove in 2023. In a deep group of strikers, he will look to prove to Arena that he deserves more playing time and can be someone that he relies on. If the 24-year-old can’t rise to the challenge his time in New England could be nearing its end.
Tuesday night was a good first step for Rennicks as he hopes to expand his role with the Revolution. With a long season including U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup play he is sure to be called on to produce again in 2023.