New England Weekly Review: March 26, 2024
We look at Hartford's hot start, Dikwa's big Weekend, and much more.
Coming off this past weekend, New England soccer fans are closer to having the American soccer season in full swing. In less than seven weeks, USL League 2 kicks-off meaning that all professional and semi-professional clubs will be in action. However, all the professional clubs were in action this past weekend and the USMNT also made the most of the international break.
With the Revolution securing its first point in the 2024 MLS season under wet and grey weather conditions, the positives in Caleb Porter’s vision could finally be showing.
Later on Saturday, Hartford Athletic continued their winning ways at home defeating the Birmingham Legion FC 1-0.
On Sunday, the New England Revolution II lost in their season opener in an away game to the Philadelphia Union II 2-1.
Rhode Island FC wrapped up the action for the New England teams by staying undefeated in their inaugural season in the USL Championship. After traveling to California, they drew with Monterey Bay FC 2-2.
To cap off the weekend, the USMNT enjoyed another dos a cero in Arlington, Texas, to win its third CONCACAF Nations League.
With a loaded soccer weekend in New England, here’s five talking points to sum up the action:
Dikwa Will Score, But RIFC Need to Wake Up at the Back
After being kept quiet by the New Mexico United defense, Albert Dikwa introduced himself as the first Rhode Island FC player to score in the USL Championship. In the 41st minute, winger Noah Fuson settled a loose ball at the midfield line before sliding a through ball between two Monterey Bay FC defenders to the edge of the 18-yard. Dikwa settled the pass and nutmegged Monterey Bay goalkeeper and fellow countryman Antony Siaha.
Unsatisfied with one goal, Dikwa scored a second in the 63rd minute after picking up a misplaced pass from Monterey midfielder Rafael Baca. However, Dikwa’s ability to capitalize and create opportunities was played down by Rhode Island’s errors in their own 18-yard box.
A mistake from Koke Vargas on a free-kick put Monterey back into the game just before the end of the first half. In the 72nd minute, while leading 1-2, Dikwa’s pass was cut-off by Chase Andrew Boone and Monterey countered. Midfielder Mobi Fehr drifted wide before putting in a cross. Tristan Trager found the ball at the front-post and put it in the back of the net after making a run from Karifa Yao’s blindside.
These defensive errors are expected from a group of players that have never played a full season together. If Rhode Island can solidify the backline and get the best out of Dikwa and the creative players in the midfield, they will be a fun team to watch this year.
No Worries Over Woeful Finishing From Hartford Athletic
Things are going well for Hartford Athletic under new Head Coach Brendan Burke. With six points in their first two games, this new look Hartford Athletic seems to be a serious juxtaposition with the Green and Blue’s historical record.
With both games being 1-0 victories, skeptics will be quick to point out their 37 shot attempted in both games. They’ll also bring up the 20 shots in the first half against Birmingham Legion FC and that they only scored from one of those.
While Brendan Burke pointed out that his side should have gone into half-time winning 3-0, the incredible thing is how they created chances.
They went out with a high line and an intense press, keeping the Legion within its own third. Hartford hardly held onto possession and quickly pushed the ball forward after winning it back.
In the second half, Burke dropped his line and made defensive-minded substitutions. Despite packing it in their own half, Hartford got nine shots off in the second 45. While playing on the counter, Hartford displayed their ability to move up the field quickly and create chances with minimal possession.
Finishing purists may criticize Hartford’s woeful finishing, but Hartford have found a winning recipe. For now, there’s much to be excited about coming off a season in which they only won four games.
Cavan Sullivan’s Debut Leaves Revs II Unrewarded
You just need to be one of Fabrizio Romano’s 20 million followers on X to know about Philadelphia Union’s 14-year-old talent Cavan Sullivan. One of the most exciting USYNT talents at the moment, Sullivan has recently agreed a deal to switch the Union for Manchester City.
Sullivan made his debut for the Philadelphia Union II this weekend against Revs II. The rising star went in during the second half and played 34 minutes. At that point in the game, Revs II were the more dominant side on the pitch. Having more of the possession, Revs II sent players forward in the last 10 minutes in an attempt to win the game.
Following a Revs II throw-in, Sullivan won a loose ball and with his second touch sent Sal Olivas in behind. Olivas settled the ball and shot from outside the box to put the Union up 2-1.
Sullivan may be the next big American hot prospect to go overseas. As a freshman in high school, he’s already proven his ability to impact games against older players.
Unfortunately, Sullivan had his day against the Revs II of all teams.
Patrick Agyemang Take a Bow!
Patrick Agyemang scored his first goal of the MLS season against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. The native of East Hartford, Connecticut, was given the start following the injury of Enzo Copetti and proved Charlotte FC Head Coach Dean Smith right.
Following a controversial red card to Columbus Crew’s Derrick Jones in the 26th minute, Charolette were held at a deadlock and missed a penalty right before half-time. They went up 1-0 thanks to an Ashley Westwood goal in the 83rd minute.
Less than five minutes later, Agyemang’s big moment came. The former Western Mass Pioneers forward turned inwards on a through ball, put the ball on his left foot and smashed it in. His powerful and tidy near-post finish put the game beyond doubt and showcased the ability Charlotte need from Agyemang.
Video courtesy of Charlotte FC via MLS.
The 6-foot-4 striker of Ghanian background has the making of a good MLS striker, though at 23-years of age, he has struggled to establish himself as the starting striker.
With Copetti out until the end of April, Agyemang has to seize this opportunity and display highlights such as his first goal of this season.
Former-Revs Abroad: International Edition
With the CONCACAF Nations League, USMNT fans got a chance to watch former Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner play two consecutive games for the first time since January.
Turner has struggled to get into Nottingham Forrest’s side since the arrival of Belgian keeper Matz Sels in January. The chance to play for the USMNT not only gave Turner an opportunity to play as a first-choice goalkeeper, but it also saw him showcase his skill as a shot-stopper. Following the 2-0 victory over Mexico, Turner was awarded with the golden glove as the best goalkeeper in this year’s Nations’ League.
Many fans weighed in on Turner returning to New England if Nottingham go down this season, but Turner still has plenty to aspire for abroad. Even if his future doesn’t lay in Nottingham, it’s far too early for Turner to consider a return to the MLS.
While one former Revolution player made the most of this international break, Tajon Buchanan can’t say the same for himself.
Only playing 33 minutes for Inter Milan since his arrival to the Giuseppe Meazza, Buchanan was looking to play an important part in a must-win match against Trinidad and Tobago to secure a Copa America spot for this summer.
Somehow that led to a moment that went semi-viral where he attempted a rainbow flick while trying to break into the Trinidad and Tobago box. Buchanan’s execution of the move was quite good, but it proved inefficient as he lost possession. It also won him a lot of stick from Inter Milan fans on social media who clearly aren’t familiar with how things go down in CONCACAF.
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Video courtesy of CONCACAF via TikTok.
In contrast with Turner, Buchanan played an average game as Canada won 2-0. He picked up a yellow card in the 42nd minute and got subbed off in the 60th. Canada only played one game this break and Buchanan is already on his way back to Milan.
This was not the type of international window that will get him up the pecking order. Especially as Inter only has the Serie A to play for.