New England Weekly Review: June 26, 2024
Moving up the table, a big transfer, and the doctor's striker check-up.
Across the United States, Copa America fans made headlines as they flooded major cities. New England avoided that action but enjoyed a weekend of respectable scores.
The New England Revolution won its fourth straight game as Giacomo Vrioni’s brace put the Revs ahead 2-1.
Rhode Island FC made a much-needed statement scoring five goals against USL Championship league leaders Louisville City FC in a 5-2 victory.
Hartford Athletic nearly followed suit but fell 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies due to an 87th-minute penalty. The Athletic were playing down a man due to a red card.
After a weather delay, Revs II lost 5-3 to Crown Legacy FC.
The USMNT put up a strong start in the Copa America as Christian Pulisic and Florian Balogun scored in a 2-0 victory over Bolivia.
Here are some pointers from the weekend:
The Striker Check-Up
Revolution striker Vrioni surprised fans with a brace this weekend, making it three goals in two games. The Albanian striker sits at five goals in the MLS season — tied with Carles Gil for the most on the Revs squad.
This weekend Vrioni’s first goal caught Cincinnati’s defenders by surprise as he curled a shot from outside the box into the bottom corner in the 21st minute.
His second goal came from a header in the 41st minute following a cross from Ema Boateng.
With Vrioni showing signs of life and the Revs on a winning streak, the striker might not leave this summer as some anticipated.
Rhode Island star signing Albert Dikwa continues his 10-game scoring drought. As Rhode Island scored five goals, Dikwa went through the 60 minutes he played with only one shot.
The disappointing run from last year’s Championship MVP raises questions about where Rhode Island’s winning difficulties have come from. With a well-balanced team and occasional goals coming from midfield, Rhode Island needs a reliable goalscorer up top.
Outside New England, East Hartford native Patrick Agyemang enjoyed his best performance of the season. Agyemang had a brace against the Philadelphia Union, leading Charlotte FC to a 2-0 victory.
The former Western Mass Pioneers player established himself as Charlotte’s starting striker over Designated Player Enzo Copetti. Agyemang is at the same statistical point as Vrioni, but without being a highly-paid player.
Overall, Agyemang’s situation exemplifies decent squad building. As a decently performing youngster who overtook a DP, Agyemang resembles the piece missing on the Revolution and Rhode Island’s benches.
Bombito on the Move
Staying on the New England USL League Two Path 2 Pro, former Seacoast United center-back Moïse Bombito could be on the verge of a big move.
No Bombito is not heading to the Premier League and won’t be going for a massive sum of money, but his transfer away from the Colorado Rapids paves a new working within the transfer market.
This weekend Tom Bogert reported that Olympique Lyon is pursuing Bombito this transfer window. The Canadian center-back would be signing for one of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group. Atlanta United star Thiago Almada is also reportedly heading to an Eagle Football club in Botafogo.
The deal would allow Bombito to have an eventual path into the Premier League as Eagle Football also owns a stake in Crystal Palace.
To make matters a bit more complicated, Textor announced that he wants to sell his stakes in Crystal Palace to become Everton’s owner.
Regardless, a move to Lyon would be a big step forward for Bombito and his case displays the complicated aspects of modern football ownership.
With investment groups like Eagle Football monopolizing clubs across continents, players and clubs lose agency in the transfer market. Bombito could be going to Lyon for next year, but most likely will be moved around to play where he fits Textor’s books.
Play-Off Views
The Revs had an ugly start to the season and it looked like Porter’s side awaited a bottom-of-the-league finish. However, the last month brought four wins and the Revolution are two points outside the playoff spots with two games in hand on most of the teams above them.
With the potential to sneak into the playoffs, the Revs could need a big transfer window to make the cut.
I believe the Revolution’s biggest problem is the goalscoring. In the last run of games, the Revs displayed solid chance creation and put away some tidy finishes.
Looking at the teams around them, the games against Atlanta United, Orlando City FC, and the Philadelphia Union should be the benchmarks of how achievable the playoffs are.
Neither of the two clubs in the USL Championship should be left for dead. Hartford are two points outside of the playoffs with a game in hand.
Along with the Revs, it is worth pointing out that Hartford and RIFC would be much higher if some of their defeats had been ties instead.
On the other hand, the draw kings of the USL Championship, Rhode Island FC, sit three points outside of the playoffs. If Dikwa or JJ Williams step up their goal-scoring, Rhode Island could rise up the table.
In the USL League 2, Seacoast United is still number one in the country and has won every game.
Vermont Green FC and the Western Mass Pioneers continue chasing the second playoff spot in the Northeast Division.
Unless any other club springs up with a surprise result, Vermont has the most control as they play Seacoast on July 7th and the Pioneers on the 13th.