Revs Hoping to Learn Lessons From Draw Versus Atlanta
Arena: "We’re fortunate to get a point, so I think that’s a positive. Hopefully, we can learn from tonight and be a better team on Saturday when we go to New York.”
Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Atlanta United wasn’t the performance that New England Revolution wanted, but they’ll take the point and hopefully some lessons.
The Revs were up 2-0 at halftime due to goals from Carles Gil and Bobby Wood. Atlanta responded by scoring three unanswered goals in the second half. A stoppage-time stunner from Gil brought the game back to level terms.
“We probably didn't deserve the point to be honest with you,” head coach Bruce Arena said after the game. “We were dominated in the second half. Our inability to get around the ball and our passing was very poor. It took a tremendous goal by Carles Gil to get us a point.”
Arena continued, “So hopefully, this is one of these games during the season that probably every team has. They have a bad game and you generally lose and move on. We're fortunate to get a point, so I think that's a positive. Hopefully, we can learn from tonight and be a better team on Saturday when we go to New York.”
Gil noted that collecting a point in a difficult venue “is not a bad result,” but that doesn’t mean he’s satisfied with his team’s performance.
“We need to play better,” Gil said. “If we want to be one of the best teams, we need to change a little bit this situation.”
The Revs are in the midst of a difficult stretch as they are winless in their last four league outings (0-2-2).
Injuries are one reason why the team is struggling. Henry Kessler and Dylan Borrero are sidelined long-term. Gustavo Bou, who hasn’t played since Apr. 29, made the bench on Wednesday but didn’t play.
While the team’s injury woes are a hindrance, Gil believes that the Revs must keep working together to get results.
“I don’t know if any team in this league with these injuries to important players can win many games, you know?” Gil said. “It’s many injuries, so yeah, it’s hard. Obviously, we are a team. If we want to be a champion team, we need to continue pushing, it doesn’t matter who we have on the pitch. But obviously, it’s hard.”