New England Revolution 3 Vancouver Whitecaps 2: 3 Thoughts
A first-half attacking clinic propelled Caleb Porter's side to their third-straight win.
The New England Revolution returned to MLS action over the weekend as they hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps at Gillette Stadium, stringing together three wins for the first time in more than a year with a 3-2 victory — their best attacking output all season.
In the win, Dave Romney picked up his third consecutive start at the heart of Porter’s defense, joined by Xavier Arteaga, Nick Lima and Dejuan Jones. Carles Gil, Ian Harkes and Esmir Bajraktarević headlined the midfield, with Noel Buck joining them in his fourth start of the season. Dylan Borrero and Giacomo Vrioni led the attack, while Aljaz Ivacic got the nod between the sticks once again.
But what do you need to know about the win? Here are my three thoughts:
The kids are alright
In their return to the starting XI after coming from international duty, young talent took the forefront as Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarević each got on the scoresheet in the first half. The pair helped the Revs take a 3-1 lead into the locker room — and both were excellent strikes.
After getting the start for the first time since late April in his return from international duty, Noel Buck stamped his authority early with the opening goal in the seventh minute. Capitalizing off of a blocked shot from Giacomo Vrioni that fell kindly at just outside of the 18-yard box, the 19-year-old unleashed a quality left-footed strike that left Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka rooted to the line to give the Revs the 1-0 lead.
Although the lead lasted just five minutes, Buck’s goal was his first of the season, and came after the midfielder hadn’t seen more than seven minutes on the field since the Revs 1-0 loss at Toronto FC on April 21. Although Buck’s night ended after he left the pitch injured in the second half, his 69-minute shift marked his longest outing of the season, and only the third time he’s gone more than an hour.
As for Esmir, his goal was his second in as many games — and second in Major League Soccer — after he netted the game-winner in the Revolution’s 2-1 win over Nashville SC on June 2. Taking the ball down on the corner of the box just minutes before halftime, the U.S. youth International’s curling effort took a slight deflection off of a defender before nestling into the back of the net.
Revs work the buildup
After giving up an equalizer just five minutes after Buck’s goal, the Revs didn't back down easily, benefiting from quickfire buildup play in the 22nd minute to re-take the lead. A series of passes started with Ian Harkes inside the Revolution defensive half, and saw the ball move quickly down the field and into the box through Carles Gil, Dylan Borrero and Vrioni in just seven touches. A well-weighted pass from Borrero set up Vrioni up perfectly from close range, who dispatched a calm left-footed finish for his second goal of the year.
It was a goal a striker would reasonably be expected to put away from inside the box, but it was a good finish and Vrioni did exactly what he needed to do in a strong first-half performance. The buildup was a major positive here for the Revs, whose three first-half goals were their highest single-game tally all year in league play.
Attractive soccer
Overall, in a refreshing change of pace from a dreadful beginning to 2024, a dominant Revs attack finally seemed to click in full force on Saturday night. Everything from the buildup play, possession, chance creation and passing sequences looked sharper than in previous weeks, and a newfound confidence in the attack was a far cry from a Revs side that barely scraped by a heavily-depleted New York Red Bulls team just one week prior.
For the first time in quite awhile, the Revs won this one confidently, and they truly looked the better of the two sides. I’m not sure there’s many other times you could say that this season. Statistically and visually, this was one of the Revolution’s best showings on 2024.
Good timing, as well — with two tough tests in Cincinnati and Columbus approaching, the Revs will need all the momentum they can get.
I know that correlation is not causation but Romney 3 starts in row - Revs 3 wins in a row. Draw your own conclusions.
One of their better games this season. Wasn't the usual keep away style they have been playing, they came to play. The only real low lite was Vancouvers second goal as Ivacic standing like a statue and not trying to make the save. Hoping Bucks injury isn't serious.