Know Thy Enemy: Revolution At Toronto Walking Wounded Edition
Know Thy Enemy: Revolution At Toronto Walking Wounded Edition
New England is short two fullbacks while Toronto deals with some injuries of their own.
The New England Revolution got some less than ideal news with DeJuan Jones set to miss a month with a hamstring injury, leaving head coach Caleb Porter without the Revs starting fullback tandem from the start of last year with Brandon Bye still recovering from a major injury last season.
The Revs will also be without Jonathan Mensah and Peyton Miller leaving the backline depth incredibly thin for this matchup.
But the injury list for the redcoats, I mean red jerseys in Toronto is also extensive - with Insigne and Lareya among others ruled out tonight and Bernardeschi and defender Raoul Petretta listed as questionable. With the Revs in the basement and TFC clinging to the last play-in spot early on this season, this is not an ideal situation for anyone involved.
All the more reason today especially for New England to play some of its most direct soccer and not put excessive pressure on Spaulding and Lima in possession in their own half. Some of the Revs best attacking moves this year have come on more direct plays and while Lima and Spaulding have both featured well at times this year, they should be more defense first options rather than main overlapping options that DeJuan and Bye would be.
This puts the onus back on the Revs wingers to generate width going forward, something that will feel strange for the oft in cutting Chancalay, Nacho Gil, and Esmir. With quicker, more direct play needed I think the Revs wingers will have to attack via wider channels, leaving the fullbacks to provide support only when the Revs have established possession in the TFC half.
With the limited defensive options you could see a switch to a back three with Andrew Farrell as the third center back and then Ema Boateng and Noel Buck as wingback/wide midfield options to see this out if things get squirrely.
Either way, the Revs desperately need to start getting results and at least today find themselves perhaps in a better position personnel-wise than their opponents. As always, we are joined by our good friends from Waking the Red and Adam Palermo gives us the mirror match of extensive injuries, offensive struggles, and climbing out of the basement.
As always, head on over to their site for all of WTR’s game coverage.
1) It seems New England has taken over the basement apartment from TFC in the East this year, though Toronto is sitting in the play-in game spot currently. What's been the biggest improvement for the Reds from a year ago and what might still be lagging behind on the field?
1. The biggest improvement with the side has been the team's mentality. John Herdman's influence has been clear as day, and even though the results haven't been consistent, there seems to be a fight within this team which fans didn't see for the majority of last season under Bob Bradley and then Terry Dunfield. Herdman has also introduced a back-three formation which has helped tidy things up at the back and give players clearer roles in defence and in transition. As for things that still need improvement, Toronto still struggles to create enough chances in games. Another thing would be defensive errors, as in the last two games mistakes at the back have led to goals conceded. That's something Herdman won't want to see tomorrow against New England.
2) Back in March Sean Johnson made a 1st half Insigne goal stand up in a 1-0 TFC win at Gillette, has he had to stand on his head in other matches too?
2. Sean Johnson was heroic for TFC's first two games of the season in Cincinnati and Foxboro. He was then out for a stretch of games because of a hamstring injury, and backup Luka Gavran had a couple of strong performances in his place. Since returning, Johnson hasn't had the same impact between the posts, with Toronto's defenders also letting him down on a few occasions. Herdman will really hope to see Johnson claim another clean sheet this weekend at home.
3) Prince Owusu is coming off a brace against Charlotte off the bench and is TFC's leading scorer with three goals but zero as a starter. Are there still scoring woes up top for the Reds and can Owusu answer them full time or is there a summer target?
3. Prince Owusu did well to bury his chances against Charlotte, but I don't think he is the long-term answer at striker for TFC. The no. 9 position has been unsettled really ever since Jozy Altidore left for the Revolution, and fans have been begging to see the club bring in a gamechanger at the position. Deandre Kerr showed some flashes last season, but hasn't yet made an impact this year. Ayo Akinola hasn't proven himself under Herdman either. For now, Owusu has earned his playing time, but if TFC is going to become a contender in the Eastern Conference, they need a bigger, more consistent goal threat.
Lineup/Injuries/Prediction/Etc.
O'Neill, Laryea and Insigne are still out long-term. Coello is in concussion protocol and won't play on Saturday. Long is suspended. Petretta and Bernardeschi are both questionable. Spicer is back after missing last week's loss in Charlotte.
Johnson; Gomis, Rosted, Mabika; Spicer, Flores, Longstaff, Marshall-Rutty; Osorio, Bernardeschi; Owusu
My prediction? A 1-1 draw. Both clubs are looking to bounce back after losses last weekend, and I think Herdman will get a strong defensive showing from his players. The Reds don't score many, but I think they can grab a goal at home and take a point.