Scenes from Tuesday's Revs Practice
Scenes from Tuesday's Revs Practice
Bruce Arena talk about injuries, weather, and Ben Olsen.
The Blazing Musket attended the New England Revolution’s training session on Tuesday, which was held indoors at the Socios.com Field House. Here are some notes from the trip.
The Revs are Getting Healthier
Last week, the following players were listed as “out” on the Revs’ injury report: Andrew Farrell (right leg), Nacho Gil (right leg), Tommy McNamara (left leg), Maciel (left Achilles), and Jacob Jackson (left ACL).
Additionally, Gustavo Bou (travel after getting his green card), Jack Panayotou (illness), and Jozy Altidore (recovering from slight muscle injury) didn’t make the trip to Charlotte.
When asked about the current statuses of the injured players, head coach Bruce Arena said, “It’s nothing serious with exception to Maciel and [Jacob] Jackson who have had surgery. We knew they were going to take time, but everyone else will be back soon. [Andrew Farrell] will be back soon.”
Arena was asked specifically about Panayotou to which Arena said, “[Jack] has had a real good preseason. He was a little ill last week. That’s why he wasn’t in the gameday rosters.”
Panayotou was seen at Tuesday’s training session, as were Bou and Altidore.
Arena Readies for Ben Olsen’s Dynamo
The Revolution welcome the Houston Dynamo to Gillette Stadium on Saturday. Arena noted that the midfield battle will be particularly important on matchday two.
“This [Héctor] Herrera is going to be one of the best players in the league,” Arena said. “I was very impressed with his game against Cincinnati. Their midfield play is outstanding, so we’re going to have to do a good job in the midfield.”
Saturday’s game will also provide Arena with another opportunity to coach against Ben Olsen. The two go way back as Arena coached Olsen.
“[Ben Olsen] has lived in my house, it’s nice,” Arena said. “It’s like having another son actually. He’s a good man. I’m sure we’ll have some trash talk before the game.”
Weather Could be a Factor
There’s a possibility of snow on Friday and Saturday, which brings back memories of 2022 when Real Salt Lake made a late comeback to beat the Revs 3-2.
Bobby Wood was on RSL at the time and he recalls that the conditions were “one of the toughest” he’s ever played in. That said, he believes that players must be mentally ready to handle the situation.
“It’s tough, but like I said when the game is going to be played, you just have to grind it out,” Wood said. “At the time, Real Salt Lake did it, you know we got the three points, and I think we just have to bring that type of mentality here and throughout the whole season.”
Arena agrees that it’s all about staying focused regardless of the conditions.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” Arena said. “What are you going to do? It is what it is, right? It’s like playing in Buffalo in the NFL in December, right? It is what it is. You deal with the conditions and if you have the right focus, you can be successful.”