Looking Up After Leagues Cup

This team has heart

Photo By J. Alexander Dolan

Expectations for the Revolution were not high coming into Leagues Cup. How could the Revs possibly make any noise given the number of injuries to key players, especially in the attack?

The competition in the group stage was admittedly not the greatest. However, given the state of the Revs roster, a result against any MLS or Liga MX side was hard to imagine.

Mazatlán proved to be a good first test, despite their position at the bottom of the Mexican league table. The Revs fought hard and a goal from local kid Jack Panayotou was enough to seal the 1-0 victory.

Next up was Nashville, a team in transition under B.J. Callaghan; their new head coach and former USMNT assistant. It was another hard fought game with the Revs taking an early lead with a Bobby Wood goal in the third minute. It was a great team goal, with Panayotou providing the assist after a series of passes from the defense to the attack.

Although the Revs gave up the equalizer in first half extra time, they continued to fight and ended the game in a draw. With their advancement to the knockout round secured, the Revs proceeded to score all five of their penalty kicks to win the shootout 5-4.

That brings us to the round of 32 matchup against New York City. The Revs were not lacking any motivation heading into the game, having lost both of their matches against NYCFC this season.

New York City opened the scoring on a penalty kick by Santiago Rodriguez in the 35th minute. Bobby Wood continued his good run of form with the equalizer, scoring in the 39th minute on a Brandon Bye cross. Panayotou continued to look more comfortable in both the attacking and defensive phases, fighting until the last minute of extra time to block a shot at the top of the box. Peyton Miller was impressive yet again, proving dangerous in attack and providing solid defense at left back. Aljaz Ivacic put in a stellar performance with a couple of highlight reel saves to help the Revs earn a 1-1 draw.

The Revs then converted their first six penalties, which would have been enough to get a win in most shootouts. But New York City had something else in mind Friday night, as they matched each penalty scored with one of their own. After Mark-Anthony Kaye missed his penalty off the crossbar, Justin Haak converted his shot to win the game for NYCFC.

While there is certainly disappointment in coming so close to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, most Revs fans would be proud of the way the team played. They showed heart and fight from the first whistle of the tournament to the last.

Players that have struggled to get significant playing time stepped up to the challenge, including Bobby Wood and Tommy McNamara. The kids were outstanding, in particular Panayotou and Miller. Against the superior competition of NYCFC, the Revs stayed in the game. The team gave everything they had and got further than we thought was possible. For that, fans should be proud.

The Revs have 11 games left in their MLS regular season, with the next game against Montreal not until August 24th. The break will give injured players time to get healthy and back into the squad. Considering the signing of Luca Langoni and others potentially on the way, this team will be getting better.

Despite all of the challenges and tough moments this season, there are still reasons to believe. There is still a chance the Revs can make the playoffs.

And if they do, all bets are off.