Luca Langoni Building Momentum
"Our goal is to make the playoffs, and we’re all going to work together and give our best to reach that goal.”
The New England Revolution are keeping their playoff hopes alive and as points are becoming ever-crucial, Luca Langoni is building some positive momentum.
Before starting the last nine matches, Langoni went three months without a start. This was due to a change in formation and Langoni picking up an injury.
During those difficult moments, Langoni told media that support from his wife, family and teammates helped him during the difficult moments.
Part of the reason that Langoni has seemingly overtaken Tomas Chancalay in the starting XI is due to his tenacity out on the pitch. Whether it be bursting on the attack or tracking back to defend, Langoni is able to use his speed to his advantage.
Head coach Caleb Porter highlighted this and the continuity in the lineup for Langoni’s recent success.
“I think our whole group has had continuity. With continuity, there’s consistency in each player’s individual role. And then obviously the chemistry, those two things are really important. I think that’s helping Luca [Langoni],” Porter said. “In my view, he’s doing what he’s good at. He’s a very a hard-working player on both sides of the ball. His work rate and the distance he covers on both sides of the ball has been reflective in the matches. He’s really good in transition, he’s dynamic, he can make runs behind, and he’s a good crosser. When you look at the first goal [at Columbus], he was a big part of that. Then, there were a couple other situations in the first half where you can see he’s in transition, he’s running with the ball, or he’s running off the ball to get in behind for that breakaway chance he had. That’s what he can do and that’s exactly what I like in him.”
While Langoni is performing well, he has high expectations to live up to. A club-record transfer fee was spent on him and largely he has yet to live up to expectations. This season he only has one goal and two assists, a disappointing output for a potential designated player once he outgrows the U-22 roster designation.
With the Revs in 11th place and on the outside looking in of a playoff spot, these are the moments where a player like Langoni needs to step up.