New England Weekly Review: May 28, 2024
New England Weekly Review: May 28, 2024
Losing a "Promisico," Hartford win again, and other talking points from the weekend.
Caleb Porter declared a “Promisico” match-up against New York City FC after he promised that the Revs would win alongside the amputee team this weekend. Despite working versus Charlotte FC, Porter fell short of his promise as the Revs lost 1-0.
Hartford Athletic won its first game since April 6th as they came back to beat Monterey Bay FC 2-1.
Rhode Island drew 0-0 with second-place Louisville City FC in one of their best defensive showings. On June 1st, Rhode Island will visit Hartford Athletic for the first New England Derby in USL Championship history.
Revs II equalized in the 87th minute to finish the 90-minute encounter with New York City FC II 3-3. Richie William’s side took two points by winning in the penalty shoot-out
In USL League Two, Vermont Green FC slipped up as they drew against Pathfinder FC 1-1. With this result, Vermont Green is in second place — two points behind first-place Western Mass Pioneers — as they await the Seacoast United Phantoms to play their game in hand.
Here are some highlights from across New England this weekend:
There Goes the “Promisico” Effect
With a record of 2-9-1 and sitting last in the Eastern Conference, Porter pulled his working ace out his sleeve — promising a win. In a video posted on social media, several players and staff members were asked to send a message to the Revolution’s amputee team.
In the video, Porter expressed a certainty of winning six points between both teams. Previously, Porter promised and delivered the Revs’ first victory of the season against Charlotte FC.
However this time, the Revs scratched another loss onto their record as Keaton Parks scored in the 81st minute for New York City FC.
The climb back toward playoff contention gets steeper by the week for the Revs. However, the team is just 11 points off the ninth-seed DC United and needs much improvement in the Summer transfer window to be contenders.
Striker Talk
When strikers struggle for goalscoring form, teams struggle to win — ask Rhode Island and the Revs.
Giacomo Vrioni’s spell in New England continues to disappoint as he’s scored two goals in 12 games this season. The Albanian international striker is not just lacking in goal scoring, but due to his playing style, he lacks the ability to create chances.
With the transfer window arriving and Vrioni occupying a DP slot, a European transfer or a second buy-out would be the only way to move him on. With the lack of depth up top, the Revolution need a striker to score whether it’s Vrioni or someone else.
Over in Rhode Island, Albert Dikwa’s scoring slump reached 584 minutes this weekend. The 26-year-old striker arrived in Rhode Island as the reigning USL Championship top goal scorer and has three goals in 10 games.
In comparison, the current top goal scorer in the USL Championship Nick Markanich has 12 goals this season.
Rhode Island FC has been slipping down and tied in seven games — the most of all USL Championship teams. Dikwa leads Rhode Island in goals, but Rhode Island only has six goal-scorers.
With the lack of goal-scoring threats, Rhode Island needs Dikwa to score to win games.
Both strikers need to pick up their form as their teams depend on them if they have a chance of shooting up the table. Without clinical finishing from a striker, chances created by playmakers like Carles Gil or Jack Panayotou are wasted.
From what I’ve seen in the USL League 2, Alec Hughes of the Western Mass Pioneers and Jacob Labovitz of Vermont Green FC are examples of what a good striker gives to a team.
Burke’s Tactical Tinkering Pays-Off
In the past weeks, Hartford Athletic head coach Brendan Burke alternated between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3. Despite certain elements of each system being nice to watch, neither approach brought in a win.
Burke’s tactical tweaks this weekend allowed two factors to impact Hartford’s result.
The first was Thomas Vancaeyezeele settling into a new role when playing out the back. Vancaeyezeele played as a center-back in a back three that stepped into midfield in the build-up.
The French defender pushed higher up the field and contributed with two assists in the game. His influence near the midfield also helped Hartford win the ball back in more dangerous positions — something that Burke favors.
The second factor was playing Michee Ngalina up top. Despite playing mostly as a left-winger, Ngalina worked well as a striker because of his mobility in possession.
By floating around and checking in to receive the ball, Ngalina could turn and run at defenders.
Despite catching a deflection, Hartford’s game-winning goal reflected Vancaeyezeele’s role higher up the field and Ngalina’s ability to be effective in open spaces.
Such improvements could give Hartford an edge against Rhode Island on Saturday.