Know Thy Enemy: Revs vs. NYCFC Who Wants to Win the Not SuperLiga Edition
Neither New England or New York City look poised to make a deep run in the Leagues Cup knockouts, but how each finish the year could be very telling for both teams.
Alright, serious question time. The New England Revolution are in no condition for a deep knockout run in any tournament right now. There are too many injuries, though a complete second string attacking group highlighted by youngsters Jack P, Esmir, and Peyton Miller has been fun to watch and the minutes that group is getting is sure to benefit the Revs long term.
But the Revs are already partially looking ahead to 2025, with the trades of DeJuan Jones and Henry Kessler opening up a lot of cap space for the offseason, Luca Langoni’s imminent arrival for the closing regular-season stretch, and hopefully the return of all the Gil’s and Vrioni.
Now I am not suggesting that the Revs, or NYCFC who have their own issues that we’ll get to aren’t taking tonight’s game seriously or trying to win before a potential PK shootout in a monsoon. But, I don’t think either team will be all that upset not to face Tigres, who beat Pachuca yesterday, in the next round.
The Revs are dealing with a lengthy injury list and cratering expectations on what was supposed to be a rebound campaign while NYC is trying to get out of a fairly big rut in their own form. And I think both teams would be okay with a week off instead of 4 extra games and moving an MLS fixture from late August to elsewhere late in the season.
Now I do think NYC is better situated to advance against Tigres just based on health alone, despite the Pigeons only having two wins since June and a real issue in front of goal right now.
But it’s also very realistic that NYC could use the extra rounds off to get their attack in order because they actually could do something in the MLS Playoffs this fall, whereas New England probably won’t.
So the serious questions need to be asked at this point: What is the Revolution’s goal the rest of the way in 2024? Are we looking for the center back pairing of the future between Parker/Romney/Arrega or elsewhere for next year? Is getting Buck/Jack P/Esmir as many minutes as possible a major focal point the rest of the way? How serious can this team push (or should they push?) for a playoff run in a mediocre Eastern Conference where they’ll likely be one and done in the first round series barring a major turnaround? And how much of a threat can NYC be in the playoffs if they can’t get road wins in Chicago or New England?
I don’t have these answers, but that last question will be decided tonight at least. I think for the second straight year, the Revs really just want to be in the offseason as quickly as possible. Not an exciting trend, but hopefully Caleb Porter and/or Curt Onalfo can shed some light onto those questions above in the coming weeks.
Here to answer questions on NYCFC is our frenemy Matthew Mangam of Hudson River Blue who was kind enough to reach out to us and shed some light on the current plight of the Pigeons. Be sure to head on over to their site for my answers to their questions and keep in mind I wrote that before we knew about Esmir’s 50/50 status.
1 - So, in your last League's Cup game what went right the first 75 minutes against Cincinnati and uh, what went so horribly wrong the final 15?
NYCFC were doing well against Cincinnati for a majority of the game, holding them back and dominating possession. New York created several chances and could have had more goals if it weren't for the heroics of backup Cincinnati goalkeeper Paul Walters. Then everything fell apart. Nick Cushing made a few subs to see out the win, and the intensity NYCFC had was lost in the blink of an eye. Cincinnati's attacking subs were able to get into dangerous positions and were extremely clinical with their chances. New York players like Birk Risa and Mitja Ilenič were caught ball watching and out of position. It was a defensive meltdown from NYCFC.
2 - If NYC gets past the Revs, the winner of Tigres-Pachuca awaits. I think NYC matches up far better against them than the Revs right now with all their injuries, but just how far could NYC go in this bracket?
After last game's performance against Cincinnati, NYCFC doesn't deserve to go far at all. The team bowed out of the Round of 32 last year with a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Red Bulls. This game in New England won't be easy for New York, as they always struggle on the road, especially offensively. If NYCFC is able to get past New England, Tigres or Pachuca will just be too strong for them and win comfortably I believe. Unless New York can get its act together on the road, I don't think they can get past the Round of 16.
3 - Once we get back to the regular season, NYC is currently 5th in the East. Is there a chance they can jump up higher than that and host a first round series? What are the expectations for this team in the playoffs?
NYCFC's schedule to end the MLS season is promising. Five of the nine remaining matches are at home, and the road games are mostly against struggling sides. I truly believe NYCFC could finish the season in a top four spot in the Eastern Conference. As for the playoffs, it will again go down to any road games New York play. The difference between NYCFC at home and away is like day and night: They have the talent to beat most MLS teams but do not show it when playing away from New York. The team has to at least make it to the Conference finals I believe.
Lineup/Injuries/Predictions/Etc.
As for this Friday's game, NYCFC will only be missing Andres Perea and Malachi Jones. I think NYCFC will lineup with a 4-2-3-1: Barraza, O'Toole, Thiago Martins, Risa, Gray; Sands, Parks; Ojeda, Santi Rodríguez, Wolf, Mijatović
Cushing said Barraza will be the goalkeeper for Leagues Cup but he may slot back in Matt Freese for this game, considering it is a knockout match and what happened against Cincinnati. Alonso Martínez can also start up top but Cushing may give Mijatović the minutes since he scored last game. It'll be 1-1 but NYCFC will advance on penalties.