New England Weekly Review: June 5, 2024

Revs with the third win of the year, a New England Derby, and the winger's dilemma.

Jun 05, 2024

The Revs won 2-1 against Nashville SC thanks to wonder strikes from Carles Gil and Esmir Bajraktarevic. With two or three games in hand, the Revolution may not be the last-place team in the Eastern Conference in a few weeks.

Hartford Athletic hosted Rhode Island FC in their first-ever match-up and the game ended 1-1.

The Revs II lost in an away game to Chattanooga FC as the home team scored after Revs II center-back Santiago Suarez received a second yellow in the 72nd minute.

In the USL League 2, Seacoast United and the West Mass Pioneers are yet to drop points. While Vermont Green FC sit in third place, they beat AC Connecticut 7-0 last Saturday.

Here are some stand-out points from the weekend:

The Winger's Dilemma

A few weeks ago, international teams released pre-eliminatory squads for the summer. As a result, Bajraktarevic was called up to the USMNT Olympic Squad for this summer’s competition in Paris.

A few days later Tomas Chancalay got hurt, and looking toward this summer Caleb Porter has a headache on the wings.

Dylan Borrero’s return to fitness boosted the squad as he assisted Gil against Nashville. Borrero looks locked in on the left wing and Chancalay ideally starts on the right or even up top.

Bajraktarevic scored his first career MLS goal this weekend but will miss five to six games in the summer.

With Nacho Gil out injured, Porter only has Ema Boateng as an option. However, Boateng tends to play down the left wing and has failed to get continuous minutes under Porter.

The club recalled Jack Panayotou from his loan spell at Rhode Island FC. Consequently, Panayotou could get a run of matches in the first team once Bajraktarevic leaves on international duty.

I want Malcolm Fry to get a shot with the first team since he holds one of the roster slots for the first team and he’s been good with Revs II despite the heavy rotation across the frontline.

As the transfer window approaches, the Revs should not invest in a new winger as the absences are temporary and there are greater needs for a new striker and defensive midfielder.

Bring On the Derbies

While Rhode Island and Hartford Athletic have not been great this year, the derby this weekend brought out some of the best they’ve played this season.

Both teams scored early and spent the rest of the game trying to get a winner delivering 25 total shots between both teams.

In the second half, Rhode Island FC took the front foot and had the clearer share of chances forcing clutch saves from Hartford goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro.

Seeing both teams play in an entertaining game showed where they need to improve going forward.

For Rhode Island, Albert Dikwa’s poor form and Panayotou’s departure leaves concerns about their attack. Having created chances in the game, Rhode Island needs to finish chances and find goal scorers within their squad.

For Hartford, their poor finishing took them out of the game again. From 11 shots, they only got two shots on target. As a team that plays a more direct game, Hartford needs to improve in the final third because they don’t generate 11 shots every game.

As for the fans, they can hope their teams improve by August 10th when both teams meet again — and maybe next time one will claim the first rivalry win.

Golden Boot Race in USL League 2

With three of the best USL League 2 teams in our division, every summer becomes a chance to watch some great talent compete across New England.

Vermont Green’s historic top-goalscorer Yaniv Bazini and West Mass Pioneers striker Alec Hughes embody the talent that these teams get to enjoy.

Both strikers sit at the top of the USL League 2’s goalscorer race in a five-way tie.

Bazini missed the Green’s season debut against Boston City FC. Since then, he started two of the four games he’s played. With a hat-trick against AC Connecticut, his total rose to five goals in 226 minutes.

Hughes failed to score in the season opener against the Boston Bolts but with consecutive braces against Albany Rush and Black Rock FC, he hit the five-goal tally in 275 minutes.

In the next two weeks, both teams will play the Seacoast United Phantoms and each other. The run of high-stake games could give Vermont Green FC a chance to rise into contention for the top seed.

For Hughes and Bazini, these next two weeks will see their teams require goals in their first-place chase.

Weekend of Bangers

Scoring in the MLS has been a tough ask this season for the Revs. This weekend not only did they score twice, but both were bangers.

Carles Gil scored a goal that Revolution fans have been spoiled by since the Spaniard arrived at the club.

After a sublime first touch, “el Capi” raced past a group of defenders while cutting away from goal. The second he got a gap of space, he took a touch towards goal and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the far post.

Video courtesy of the New England Revolution.

If one banger seems like a lot to ask for, Bajraktarevic’s first ever MLS goal capped off the weekend for the Revs.

As Giacomo Vrioni played Bajraktarevic into the box on a counter attack, the 19-year-old settled the ball with the outside of his left foot. He pulled the ball onto his weak foot and smashed it to the near post before Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis could react.