Revolution II vs Toronto FC II: Three Thoughts
Revolution II vs Toronto FC II: Three Thoughts
Three thoughts following Revolution II's latest outing versus Toronto
New England Revolution II secured two points on Sunday following a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC and a 6-5 shootout victory that extended Revs II’s winless run to a staggering 11 games. Here are three thoughts.
1 - Marcos Dias Masterclass
Per usual, Marcos Dias was the difference maker on offense, as he netted both goals to extend his 2024 total to nine while notching his 24th goal with Revolution II.
Dias was in the right place at the right time in the 41st minute. After getting on the end of Malcolm Fry’s lobbed ball, Gevork Diarbian attempted to slot home his third goal of the season, but the left goal post had other thoughts as his header dinked off the post and dribbled along the goal line. Dias easily darted to the loose ball and tapped it over the line to level things for Revs II.
His night got better at the start of the second half when he got under a lobbed ball from Maciel and headed the ball past Adisa De Rosario to put Revs II up 2-1.
On top of the brace, Dias also ended the night completing 16 of 19 passes, completed five passes into the final third, and won two duels while encapsulating his night by finding the back of the net to open the shootout
Since arriving in New England in February 2022, Dias has continued to improve over the years. It's evident in his goal-scoring totals, which have steadily grown larger season after season.
2 - Toronto’s Terrible Execution
Looking at the stats, it was shocking how Toronto didn't secure three points against Revolution II.
While Max Weinstein’s four saves on the night hindered Toronto, their inability to take advantage did them in. Something Revolution II should be thankful for.
Toronto outshot Revs II 15 to six while putting six on target compared to Revs II’s three. They had 63% possession in the second half yet only managed to find the back of the net once.
3 - Early Woes
The unfortunate trend for Revolution II has been not coming into matches ready to go from the opening whistle.
It happened again on Sunday when Alonso Coello lobbed a ball into a pocket of pace up the right flank. Malcolm Fry and Theo Rigopoulos were in a heated battle attempting to get onto the bouncing ball. A battle that Rigopoulos won as he broke toward the Revs II goal. Fry attempted to poke a foot in but ended up taking his opponent down inside the box.
Julian Altobelli stepped to the spot and easily slotted the penalty kick home to give Toronto a 1-0 lead just eight minutes in. Out of the staggering 50 goals Revolution II have conceded in 2024, Toronto’s opener marked the 10th conceded in the opening 15 minutes of play.
Revs II’s inability to open games strongly is a big reason as to why they see themselves in the position they’re in.