Know Thy Enemy: Revolution vs Crew Keep the Streak Edition

New England is on a four game winning streak, but now face a daunting week of games knowing Tomas Chancalay isn't walking through that door.

The New England Revolution can not catch a break with injuries. Right after getting Dylan Borrero back from his long term stint on the sidelines, it’s now official that Tomas Chancalay will miss the remainder of the season as well.

Combine that with the potential that Carles Gil and Borrero are questionable to doubtful for today’s game and New England has their work cut out for them to keep their winning streak intact.

With a midweek home game against Atlanta following up tonight’s Crew matchup (Apple TV+ free matchup at 730 pm EDT) and a long flight out to Seattle next weekend, New England has to not only balance minutes but several key injuries again.

Revolution Looking To Win Fifth Straight While Dealing With Absences

Esmir Bajraktarevic looks to remain one of the starters out wide and Giacomo Vrioni’s surge in production the last two weeks has been a tremendous boon for the Revolution. But facing a potential three game stretch missing Chancalay for sure and any combination of Carles and Borrero for any amount of time is not ideal.

There is no true replacement at CAM for Carles, though Esmir, Noel Buck, and Jack Panayotou can work in a pinch. My guess is that Caleb Porter might opt for a lower midfield triangle - either one CDM and two CMs or a true #8 type and no CAM - in an effort to balance possession and link up play with the front attacking group. Esmir and Buck as in cutting wide playmakers could also work too though I suspect Ema Boateng would start at least one of these upcoming games.

Porter Discusses How Chancalay's Season-Ending Injury Affects The Revs

It will be an interesting dynamic for Porter to balance with the recent tandem of Buck and Ian Harkes doing so well against Vancouver in the Revs last home match a couple of weeks ago.

Speaking of absences, the Columbus Crew have a major one with Aidan Morris’ transfer to Middlesbrough. Here to opine on one of the Crew’s favorite sons as well that scoring fiend known as Cucho Hernandez is Tyler Fisher of Massive Report.

Make sure to head on over to their site for my answers to Tyler’s questions as well as all their Revs-Crew coverage. I want to thank Tyler for not dodging my questions like Ohio State is dodging UConn Football later in the year.

TBM: Aidan Morris' time in Columbus is over with a deal to Middlesboro set to become official at the start of the next transfer window, there's no question, just talk about your dude.

TF: Aidan is just that guy honestly. He lets his play speak for him. He’s got that dawg in him. Very humble, straight forward, and lets his play do most of the talking. One of more dynamic midfielders in the league, isn’t afraid to get stuck in. We lost a good one, but couldn’t be more happy for the next step in his career. 

TBM: Obviously that's a big hole to fill in the midfield, who on the roster is likely to fill that void in the short term and are there any rumors or major deals incoming for the Crew in the summer window? What other needs does the team have for the second half of the year?

TF: Id have to say Sean Zawadzki to fill that spot. Maybe Derrick Jones. The obvious first choice is Zawadzki, tbh. The guy is a Swiss Army knife. He’s more comfortable as a CM, his natural position. I’d like to think he and Morris have similar playing styles, maybe Zawadzki a little bit more of the attacking prowess however. We did sign Aziel Jackson from St. Louis CITY, and are still awaiting for all documents to be completed for Dylan Chamost from St. Etienne. As for the second half of the year, I personally would like to see a CB signing, to possibly enter for Rudy Camacho when he gets replaced in games. We are vulnerable in the back at times when the CB’s get too high, so having a solid CB to play back more would be nice. 

TBM Interviews Devon Kerr of MLS Season Pass

TBM: Columbus has games in hand, but how confident are you that the Crew can catch Cincy and Miami at the top of the East?

TF: I think I’m more confident that we can catch Cincinnati than Miami, and no, it’s not because of Messi and company. I think the loss of Miazga and Hagglund to Cincinnati are huge blows. As I see it, FCC have no response to fill the void (until Miles Robinson returns) but he’s kind of injury prone as well. For Columbus, I think we’re starting to piece things together at the right time. Cucho Hernandez is starting to be the Hernandez that helped Crew win 2023 MLS Cup, we still have the general core, and Nancy ball is working well like always. The slow start to the season, in my opinion, was the team focusing on making the big run in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Now that’s over, our games in hand are the big focal point to move up in the standings and still be in talks for the Supporters Shield (fingers crossed). 

Starting Lineup:

Schulte

Moreira-Camacho-Cheberko

Arfsten-Zawadzki-Nagbe-Farsi

Ramirez-Cucho-Rossi 

Injuries:

GK Evan Bush (Arm) 

FWD Jacen Russell-Rowe (INT’L Duty) 

Prediction: It’s hard to argue that the Revs are heating up at the right time. Especially the big win over Cincinnati last week. However, the record shows it’s not good against Columbus, with the Black & Gold holding 40 wins in the series. My biggest fear is the turf. But I think it won’t be a factor unless it decides to be. 

Crew 3 - Revs 1