New England Weekly Review: August 9, 2024
New England Weekly Review: August 9, 2024
National champions, Bobby Wood's redemption, and a Coach of the Month award.
While the 2024 Olympics in Paris saw the USYNT make it out of the group, but fall to bronze-medalist Morocco in the quarter-finals.
The New England Revolution beat Nashville SC on penalties in the second Leagues Cup group stage game. The result sees the Revs advance and play New York City FC in the Round of 32.
Rhode Island FC drew with 1-1 Detroit City FC to take its undefeated streak to 9 games before losing 1-0 on Wednesday to Indy Eleven.
Hartford Athletic beat Detroit City 1-0 and drew 2-2 with Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday night. Hartford visit Rhode Island FC for the New England derby this coming weekend.
The Revs II returned from a bye week and lost 3-2 against Atlanta United 2 before losing on penalties against FC Cincinnati 2 after a 0-0 draw.
Seacoast United won the USL League 2 National Championship in extra-time as they pulled by Peoria City FC to win 3-2.
Here are some headlines from the past week.
National Champs in New Hampshire
After edging out Vermont Green FC and the Western Mass Pioneers in the Northeast division, the Seacoast United Phantoms were proper candidates in the national tournament and they delivered by winning their first-ever national title.
The title and its equivalent USL competitions had evaded New England since the Cape Cod Crusaders won back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003.
Attacking midfielder Taig Healy, who impressed throughout the season, won the playoffs and finals MVP. Healy will continue his collegiate career at North Carolina State.
The side managed by head coach Alex Ryan boasted of an aggressive offense that brought the best out of creative players like Healy, Marco dos Santos, and Terry Makedika.
Despite missing right-back Mitch Varley during the playoffs, the Phantoms managed to ride out games where they did not have complete control of the match.
As national champions of the USL League 2, the Phantoms will look to return next year to defend the title. However, the Northeast division stepped up in class as all three big teams made the playoffs. Both Vermont Green FC and the Pioneers will look to complicate matters for the Phantoms, but until then New Hampshire hosts the only USL League 2 title among active clubs.
All Hail Bobby Wood
You don’t get any doctorate or a nod of approval for recognizing that the Revs need a goalscoring striker. Giacomo Vrioni has been far from good as his Designated Player contract looms over his head and his 21 goals in 67 games have been insufficient.
By no means is 31-year-old Bobby Wood supposed to be the solution, especially when head coach Caleb Porter has consistently picked Vrioni over the American international.
Wood brings experience from his career in Germany and his 45 USMNT caps. The striker is on the backside of his career, but in the past weeks has proved that he’s as effective as ever.
Wood has replaced an injured Vrioni over the past month. The team has since progressed in the Leagues Cup, drew to Dallas FC, and got obliterated by the Philadelphia Union.
While Wood lacks the physical qualities that once helped him in his prime, his sense for scoring is still sharp and he looks lively awaiting service in the box. In this run of games, Wood has not been able to play with Carles Gil or Dylan but has displayed positive link-ups with Ian Harkes and Jack Panayotou.
During this transfer window, the Revolution signed club-record transfer Luca Langoni from Boca Juniors. His 11 goals in 70 games for the Argentinian powerhouse look far from an answer for the Revs, but his arrival indicates that Vrioni could be on his way out. With the DeJuan Jones and Henry Kessler trades for Will Sands and Tim Parker, a squad rebuild looms over the Revolution and Wood could be forced out the door if Vrioni refuses to leave.
However, Wood is showing his worth as a capable back-up. As a player with USMNT experience, he should be embraced as a veteran presence. Wood’s form proves that he can play more often when he performs.
Smooth Sailing for Khano Smith
Despite snapping a nine-game undefeated streak after losing against Indy Eleven, Rhode Island FC head coach Khano Smith won the USL Championship Coach of the Month.
The past run of games included Smith smoothing out the attack and re-integrating players like Noah Fuson into the starting line-up.
Even out of the starting line-up, Smith has pulled game-winners off the bench from players like Isaac Angking and Zachary Herivaux.
His 3-5-2 system adjusts to a 4-4-2, inviting more pressure and creating spaces for counter-attacks. With the right personnel and functioning tactics, Rhode Island shot up the table and snuck into playoff positions.
This weekend, Smith and Rhode Island FC host Connecticut’s Hartford Athletic in a much-awaited derby. The first-ever encounter between both sides ended in a 1-1 draw with plenty of chances and late-game drama.
Rhode Island FC established themselves with better form as of late but will need to win this weekend to keep climbing up the table.
With a derby ahead, Smith can continue to push forward in Rhode Island FC’s inaugural season at the cost of fellow New England neighbors.