New England Weekly Review: May 14, 2024
New England Weekly Review: May 14, 2024
A game-changing move, many defensive mistakes, and the grass looks greener outside of New England.
Despite scoring twice, the New England Revolution conceded early, before half-time, late, and even later as they lost 4-2 against the New York Red Bulls. Carles Gil and Giacomo Vrioni scored as the offense looked better, but the number of defensive mistakes diminished the Revs’ offensive efforts.
Hartford Athletic continued their theme of exciting soccer, but poor finishing as they lost 2-0 against the Colorado Switchbacks in front of a sold-out Trinity Health Stadium. Hartford played on the front foot for most of the match, but two defensive mistakes cost them all three points.
Rhode Island conceded off a free-kick in the 93rd minute against Sacramento Republic FC to draw 2-2. With 21 shots taken, Rhode Island enjoyed one of their best offensive performances, but some poor marking allowed Sacramento to get back in the game twice.
Revs II fell 2-1 in an away game against Crown Legacy FC this weekend as both teams finished the match with 10 men.
This week the Northeast Division of the USL League 2 kicks off with the Boston Bolts facing off with the Western Mass Pioneers on May 14 at 7 p.m.
Read on for highlights of the action from this week:
Rhode Island Has Another Major Move
The wise men of soccer tell fans to never fall in love with a loan player — and that’s a serious warning for Rhode Island FC.
Last Friday, the New England Revolution announced that Jack Panayotou would be loaned to Rhode Island FC. The 19-year-old midfielder missed the Revs II match against Crown Legacy FC and made his USL Championship debut on Saturday.
The native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been Revs II’s best player this season dominating the midfield. With three goals and one assist in four MLS NEXT Pro matches, Panayotou’s performances were not deemed enough to get him a chance with the first team.
With his Rhode Island FC debut, Panayotou showed he made the right move. In the first half, he provided an assist off a corner kick delivery and displayed his dribbling ability. Panayotou created four chances and completed two of the three take-ons he attempted in the 81 minutes he played.
Aside from the statistical perspective, Panayotou seemed to be a missing piece in Rhode Island’s midfield. He played as a ball carrier alongside Clay Holstad and Marc Ybarra and tended to float forward into space before dribbling forward. By doing so, Holstad had more space to play the ball forward like his assist for Stephen Turnbull.
For Revs II, Panayotou’s absence may leave a gap in the offense but that creates an opportunity for other players to take more responsibilities. Against Crown Legacy FC, Josh Bolma featured off the bench and scored Revs II’s lone goal. I would like to see Olger Escobar get more minutes, as last year’s academy Player of the Year has played more for Guatemala’s youth teams than for Revs II in 2024.
On Chancalay and Spacing
While the game against the Red Bulls took the Revs back to losing ways, many offensive actions stood out compared to previous games. Once again, Tomas Chancalay offered some of the best play for the Revs.
Despite not scoring, the Argentinian winger gave the Red Bulls a headache from the left wing. Chancalay combined well with Gil throughout the game and assisted the captain to equalize the game in the first half.
Just before giving his assist, Chancalay attempted a long-range shot forcing a save from Red Bull goalie Carlos Miguel.
During the first half, Porter had Chancalay isolated from the rest of the forwards and made the most of his space. Staying wide, Chancalay would burst into the space left inside to create danger. When he did so on the ball, he would take on John Tolkin to get to the vast space behind.
However, the intensity took a toll on Chancalay and his performance began to drop off in the second half. After Dylan Borrero’s injury late in the game, Chancalay and Esmir Bajraktarevic look more and more like the solidified starters on the wings. Ema Boateng came off the bench and assisted Vrioni’s goal, but has not received consistent game-time from Porter. Noel Buck can also play on the right wing, but he’s also not played much this season.
With Panayotou’s loan move, the Revs can fill a roster slot during the secondary transfer window. With the reported interest in Alberth Elis during the winter, the Revs may acquire a winger to provide more depth. Until then, Porter will have to rely on Bajraktarevic and Chancalay to help create chances and score from the wide areas.
Green Grass Outside of New England
With Panayotou’s loan to Rhode Island FC, he joins Damian Rivera as the two Revolution players in the USL Championship. So far Rivera has been in and out of the Tampa Bay Rowdies squad featuring mostly off the bench.
However, Rivera started for last week’s U.S. Open Cup match against the Birmingham Legion. In the 25th minute, Rivera received a pass in the left side of the box before faking a shot to send a defender flying. Rivera faked his shot again before placing the ball through the keeper’s legs.
This weekend also saw former Revs winger Tajon Buchanan score his first goal for Inter Milan against Frosinone. Already being crowned Serie A champions, manager Inzahgi can give Buchanan as many chances to see what the Canadian can offer for Inter (other than rainbow flick attempts against Trinidad and Tobago).
Video courtesy of Serie A.
Buchanan displayed his skills in the 77th minute as he received the ball at midfield. He drove towards the Frosinone box and as he entered the box he cut onto his right foot. Having separated himself from his defender, Buchanan shot across goal and put the ball into the bottom corner.
Within the MLS, Patrick Agyemang gave another reason as for why he should play over Designated Player Enzo Copetti. The 23-year-old of East Hartford Connecticut, drove himself into the ground against Nashville SC and was rewarded with a chance in the 52nd minute.
Video courtesy of Charlotte FC.
Agyemang turned as he controlled a bouncing pass before bursting past Nashville center-back Jack Maher. On a tight angle, Agyemang smashed the ball with power and sent it into the side netting.
Agyemang leads Charlotte FC in goals scored with three this season. The former Western Mass Pioneers man’s physical prowess and work ethic have made him a reliable option for the Revs “El Promisico” rivals. If he can find a scoring streak, Agyemang could pave a way for the USL League 2 players in Northeast Division this summer.