Revolution Prepare For First Preseason Game On Wednesday
Ema Boateng: “Every session is intense.”
The New England Revolution have entered phase two of preseason, trading Foxboro, MA for Bradenton, FL.
Giacomo Vrioni and Henrich Ravas recently linked up with the team after receiving their necessary paperwork. DeJuan Jones and Esmir Bajraktarevic are now in camp after being with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
This preseason is particularly important as the Revs have a new coach in Caleb Porter. Ema Boateng, who won an MLS Cup with the Crew under Porter in 2020, says things are going well so far.
“I think guys are responding really well to his type of coaching,” Boateng said. “He’s very demanding and pushing everybody. I think what he wants us to do, you can see guys really reacting and trying to grasp onto it. It’s been very competitive these last eight days.”
Boateng noted that “everybody came in at a pretty good fitness level.” While the team continues to work on this aspect of the game, they’re also focusing on learning Porter’s system.
“Every session is intense,” Boateng said. “He’s making it a competition. If the red time is pressing, he’s counting how many times they’re going to win it. If it’s gray team, it’s the exact same thing. So everybody is stepping up and pushing.”
The Revs will have their first preseason test on Jan. 24 when they play a closed-door match against the New York Red Bulls at IMG Academy.
This game will be an opportunity to see where the players are physically and tactically.
When asked what he’s looking to take away from Wednesday’s game, Boateng said, “I think just try to see how we implement everything we’ve been working on in terms of the press, and when we win the ball, he always wants us to form triangles around, break lines, kind of that stuff.
“He’s been looking for it every time in training. Every time we do a video session afterward, he makes sure to point those things out, so that’s where he’s looking.
“We want to see that early too. The earlier we can get on that, the better it is for us for once the real games start.”
Let's go!