The New England Revolution Have A No. 9 Problem

“I think we’re always looking at everything, right? I think if those guys [Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood] are healthy, then no. But yeah, if you’re on your third, we don’t have a third striker, right?

Photo By ©J. Alexander Dolan

The New England Revolution were unable to score a goal on Sunday afternoon. It wasn’t for a lack of trying.

New England racked up 19 shots but was unable to break through on the score sheet. When you look at who was up top, it’s not surprising to see the struggles.

Now this is no dig at Tomas Chancalay — he was put in a difficult position — as he played up top instead of his usual position out on the wing. It was mentioned post game by Esmir Bajraktarevic that the designated player has experience playing at striker but it’s clearly not his preferred position.

A lot of Chancalay’s best runs started from him moving out wide. Standing at five-feet, ten inches, the 25-year-old isn’t an aerial threat which one might expect from a typical No. 9.

Again, Chancalay did perform well. He tallied five shots, two chances created, seven touches in the opposition box, and three passes into the final third. Head coach Caleb Porter was pleased with Chancalay’s performance.

“It’s tough because not only did we lose our number one, nine, we lost our two [Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood]. Bobby Wood and that double whammy of having both those guys out, made it extremely difficult because we couldn’t even sub a guy in at the end and maybe slide [Tomás] Chancalay wide where he can get faced up to shoot a little bit more, but there’s no excuses,” Porter said. “We have to find a way, but I thought he had some good moments today. A couple of times we were in on them early in the game on a break. I think we have to find a goal. Maybe the composure to play that extra pass or be more decisive at times to get a cross in. Those are little things I think for sure we can improve on as well. I’m not saying there’s not improvement. There’s improvement, but I do think there’s going to be better days ahead. We’ll keep a steady hand. We’ve got an experienced locker room and we’re experienced coaches.”

But as Porter mentioned losing both of his strikers forced Chancalay to play 90 minutes ahead of an important Concacaf Champions Cup match where the DP could be in line for another dose of 90 minutes. New England then returns to league play with a match against Atlanta United down in Georgia on Saturday.

While New England’s head coach could be playing possum, Porter indicated after the match that being forced to play Chancalay at striker doesn’t necessarily mean the Revs are in need of acquiring a striker.

“I think we’re always looking at everything, right? I think if those guys [Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood] are healthy, then no. But yeah, if you’re on your third, we don’t have a third striker, right? So, we’re trying to manufacture that position a little bit with Tomás [Chancalay] up top,” he said. “I thought he did okay, but I think, in any position, if you’re down to the third, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to want another player. We’re not covered in the three in any position really. Maybe a couple positions, but certainly not the nine.”

Prior to 2024, New England has had at least three strikers in — checks notes — every single season of its existence. While Porter says they are not three deep in any position currently, historically the Revs have been able to have depth at the position.

Now this isn’t a plea for Justin Rennicks or Jozy Altidore to return but acquiring an experienced striker who can come off the bench and start the occasional match seems to be a reasonable request. The Revs hands were tied on Sunday but that doesn’t mean they have to be for the rest of the season.

If New England continues to perform well in CCC play continues, so will the fixture congestion. Players will need some rest and injuries are likely to happen as they do in any season.

It’s also worth mentioning that the situation with Wood’s knee doesn’t seem to be one that can be fixed. Prior to last week’s match against Club Atlético Independiente, Wood received an injection in his knee. Porter described the knee soreness as a “chronic thing”.

While 31 years old isn’t entirely ancient in soccer, expecting a 31-year-old with a chronic knee injury to be second on your depth chart seems as if you are tempting fate. Wood appeared in 29 matches last season but that appeared to be more of an anomaly considering his recent outputs.

So while Giacomo Vrioni could prove to be the No. 9 the Revolution need, the answer for depth at striker can’t just be Bobby Wood. While Porter seemingly indicated that having a third striker would be a luxury, it seems like one that himself and Curt Onalfo should seriously consider purchasing.