Revolution 2, Nashville SC 1: Three Thoughts

Celebrating win #3 with three thoughts

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

The New England Revolution are now 3-10-1 on the MLS season after a 2-1 victory in Nashville.

Here are my three thoughts from the game.

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1. More Capi Magic

In the 18th minute, Nashville SC made the fatal mistake of giving Carles Gil space to shoot with his deadly left foot. After a beautiful long ball from Dylan Borrero found Gil on the right wing, Carles cut past defender after defender to the center of the field, before launching a perfect shot into the far side of the netting.

In a season which the Revolution have regularly failed to find the back of the net, Carles Gil has stepped up. Despite Gil being third in the league in key passes entering Saturday, goals have been few and far between for Gil’s teammates while he has taken a strong lead in the team’s Golden Boot race. Gil now has five of the team’s 11 goals, with no other teammate scoring three or more.

His goals haven’t exactly been tap-ins either: According to FotMob, four of Gil’s goals were from shots with an xG of 0.12 or less and three of them had an xG of 0.05 or less. All four of those goals came off of Gil’s left foot, including tonight’s goal, which registered an xG of 0.04, and two similar-looking goals against Atlanta and DC United earlier this year.

So while the offense has gotten off to a slow start, Carles Gil’s magic left foot remains as productive as ever, putting the Revs in a great spot with an early lead on Saturday.

On another feel-good note, Borrero’s assist is his first since returning from injury. It was a great night for the winger who probably should’ve had more than one assist (more on that in a moment).

2. Vrioni’s Up and Down Night

The Revolution doubled their lead in the 51st minute off Esmir Bajrakarevic’s first career MLS goal which’ll certainly get the attention of the USA Olympics coaching staff.

As pretty as Esmir’s blast into the top corner was, Giacomo Vrioni was key to the play, as he led a counter by receiving a Carles Gil pass up the left before placing a long pass right onto Esmir’s feet, giving him space and time to line up the shot.

However, Revolution fans may walk away from this match frustrated at Vrioni only ending up in the assist column and not the goal column.

Borrero gifted Vrioni with a golden chance on a counter in the 37th minute, spinning the ball around the final defender and at the feet of a wide-open Vrioni, who mistimed the play and scuffed the shot wide.

Vrioni then was absent on an even greater opportunity in the 64th minute, when Borrero again set him up with a perfect ball from the left wing, but this time Vrioni was a little behind the play, unable to tap it in.

Both goals would’ve extended the Revolution’s lead and made the conclusion of the game a little less tense, as New England had to park the bus to hold a one-goal lead in the final moments.

With only two MLS goals on the season, Vrioni still is struggling to find his goal-scoring form. While he did log an assist and had some positive contributions, it’s hard not to come away disappointed that Vrioni ended up goalless.

3. Romney Returns

With Henry Kessler suspended due to yellow card accumulation, eyes were on Dave Romney’s performance as he got his first start in six matches.

After playing every MLS game in 2023 for the Revs, Romney has recently found his way to the bench (and the trade block, per The Athletic’s Tom Bogert), much to the dismay and confusion of some Revs fans.

Romney showed some confident moments winning eight of nine duels, including six for six on aerial duels, and registering eight clearances, per FotMob. However, similar to Vrioni, Romney will be remembered for one of the low points in the game for the away side as he clipped Walker Zimmerman in the box during the second half, leading to the penalty kick giving Nashville their lone goal.

Romney probably did not win his starting job back, even if he didn’t concede the penalty. Kessler will return next week and Caleb Porter has tipped his hand that his preferred pairing is Kessler and Xavier Arreaga. But Romney still showed he’s capable of coming off the bench and performing well.

For a team that has lacked center back depth in recent years, Romney on the bench is a good problem to have.