The Revolution Are "Getting "Healthier"
Arena: "I think our team has done well to adjust to it and hopefully we can have a more complete team on Saturday against Cincinnati.”
The New England Revolution are getting healthier, according to head coach Bruce Arena.
The Revs were without 11 players when they faced Sporting KC last weekend, leaving them with 18 on the game-day roster instead of the allowed 20.
Wednesday’s availability report painted an optimistic picture as Gustavo Bou, Bobby Wood, DeJuan Jones, and Jozy Altidore weren’t listed. Additionally, Latif Blessing is expected to be back from the trip he made to Ghana to help relocate his family.
“Well we'll finalize everything tomorrow, but we're getting healthier,” Arena told media on Thursday. “I think you see in the early going around the league that everyone has different issues with injuries and suspensions and that's all part of it. I think our team has done well to adjust to it and hopefully we can have a more complete team on Saturday against Cincinnati.”
The Revs will certainly be without Henry Kessler, who is expected to miss four months after undergoing a successful hamstring surgery last Friday. Arena is hopeful that Kessler will be ready sooner, noting, “We would certainly love to have Henry back.”
When players are out, others have to step up. Such is the case for Andrew Farrell, who has started the last two league games. Arena said that the Revs are “fortunate to have Andrew ready to play.”
The Revs are also getting positive contributions from their young Homegrowns. Noel Buck (9 appearances, 7 starts), Esmir Bajraktarevic (3 a, 3 s), Jack Panayotou (4 a, 2 s), Damien Rivera (3 a, 1 s), and Justin Rennicks (5 a) have all been ready when their name was called.
“Well, they're doing well,” Arena said of the Homegrowns. “In some cases, maybe we're throwing guys a little bit too much early in their careers, so we want to make sure when we use those guys that they can taste some kind of success, but for the most part, all of them have done well.
“Obviously, Noel Buck has been very good. Esmir Bajraktarevic has gotten his opportunities…then Jack Panayotou, and Damian Rivera, they've all got some important minutes in the early going, so that's a positive, and hopefully we're going to see them continue growing throughout the season.”