Usseglio: Defeated But Not Embarrassed
Revolution Drop Home Opener to Crew
The New England Revolution opened their home campaign of the MLS regular season this past Saturday night against the Columbus Crew. Coming off a draw and solid performance against Nashville, the Revs were focused on making Gillette Stadium a fortress where opposing teams would be lucky to get a point.
They knew it would be a difficult test, given the quality of the Crew players and Coach Wilfried Nancy. Revolution Coach Caleb Porter spoke before the game about how the embarrassment of their two losses against Columbus last season served as motivation. This match would be a chance to show how much his team has progressed and how they can compete with the best teams in MLS.
The lineup remained the same as week 1, with Aljaž Ivačič in goal, Brandon Bye, Brayan Ceballos, Mamadou Fofana, and Ilay Feingold across the back line, Jackson Yueill, and Alhassan Yusuf in midfield, Luca Langoni and Ignatius Ganago on the wings, Carles Gil as the number 10, and Leo Campana the lone striker up front.
The subs available on the bench were Alex Bono, Wyatt Omsberg, Tanner Beason, Will Sands, Andrew Farrell, Noel Buck, Jack Panayotou, Luis Diaz, and Maxi Urruti. Club broadcasters Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies were on the home radio call on MLS Season Pass and 98.5 the Sports Hub.
It was a frigid, winter night with sub-30-degree temperatures at kick off. The Revolution were defending the Fort end, dressed in their new Eastern White Pine kits. The kits looked great on the field, with the Forest Green and Blue really popping. I liked the look of the badge without the roundel and seeing Gillette emblazoned across their chest while playing at Gillette Stadium was a welcome change.
Early on it was all Columbus, and I mean ALL Columbus. The Crew demonstrated their superior passing and movement, dominating possession. Feldman and Davies remarked, somewhat in disbelief, that the passing numbers were 64-1 to Columbus at 6 minutes into the game. The Revs could not get near the ball, and on the rare occasion they did they were quickly under pressure. They could not connect the few passing opportunities they had.
Despite the possession, the Crew were not able to generate many dangerous chances. The Revs were working hard defensively, from Campana all the way back to Fofana and Ceballos. Eventually, Fofana was able to make an interception and keep the ball, allowing the Revs to get into the game. They generated a few chances on goal, with Carles Gil dropping deep and playing balls into space for Langoni and later serving in a corner kick to Campana who got a header on goal.
As the first half progressed it became more even, with the Revs holding their own against the Crew. There were some nerve-wracking moments, including when Ivačič took too long playing a ball and almost ended up with his kick being blocked into his own net.
I would argue that despite some of the shaky moments, the Revs had the better chances in the first half. The sharpness in the attack is still a work in progress, and the players are still not always on the same page, but the Revs played their best half against Columbus in recent memory. It ended 0-0, even at the break.
It was a competitive half and the Revs were making the Crew work for everything. Not a bad start by any means. Going into the second half I wanted to see Ganago and Langoni get more involved in the game. I was also wondering how long the Revs would be able to keep up their pressing.
The Revs were attacking the Fort during the second half, but to their dismay, it was Columbus who did all of the attacking. The Revs were under siege and pinned in their defensive end from the whistle. The Crew looked different, playing at a level that reminded everyone why they are still one of the best sides in MLS. The Revs were putting up a fight, defending well but having some tough moments trying to possess the ball in the back.
Columbus broke through in the 52nd minute when forward Jacen Russell-Rowe scored a nice goal assisted by Mohamed Farsi on a clinical counter attack. The Crew were making it look easy and almost scored a second goal from a similar position on a shot by Maximillian Arfsten in the 64th minute.
Whether it was a matter of Columbus raising their level or the Revolution getting tired, it was clear there is still a big difference in class between the two teams.
Coach Caleb Porter made a double substitution in the 65th minute, bringing in Luis Diaz and Will Sands for Langoni and Bye. Feingold shifted to his natural position at right back.
Columbus continued to attack and a somewhat routine shot almost resulted in their second goal of the night. Revs keeper Aljaž Ivačič bobbled a pretty straightforward shot and a Columbus attacker nearly put the ball in the back of the net. Ivačič recovered just in time but injured his hand in the process. He was eventually able to continue, but not before backup keeper Alex Bono started warming up.
The subs made by Porter played well, making an instant impact on the game. The Revs were able to get forward more, with Diaz making some attacking runs down the right wing.
Carles Gil did not have one of his best games on Saturday night, but he did make a few line-breaking passes that sprung the Revs attack. You could see the slight hesitation by Campana on some of those plays, not quite on the same wavelength as the other attacking players. Hopefully, these are the kinds of things that will get better the more the team plays together.
Then there was a wild end to the game, with the Revs being awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the 88th minute. A free kick by Gil was blocked by a defender inside the penalty area and it seemed like the Revs would be able to salvage a draw.
To the frustration of everyone, a VAR check resulted in the penalty being overturned. You could argue whether or not it was a handball and whether or not there was a clear and obvious error made by the referee. In any case, the Revs missed out on a great goal-scoring opportunity.
Given the injuries and VAR check, there were 10 added minutes for extra time. The Revs finally started playing with more urgency and throwing everything forward.
Unfortunately, they could not find a goal. They lost the game 1-0, a disappointing if not unexpected result.
The Revs played better against this Columbus side than they did in either game last year. That is an improvement. They were defeated but not embarrassed.
The defense has surely improved, which is vital to keep them in games while the attack gets sorted out. The Revs need to find ways to create better chances. Even with the chances they had, their expected goals according to mlssoccer.com was only 0.1. That is nowhere near good enough to compete this season.
Next week the Revs take on the Philadelphia Union. This will be the first time the Revs face the Union without Coach Jim Curtain in years. Philadelphia have been flying under the direction of new Coach Bradley Carnell, winning 4-2 at Orlando City and 4-1 against FC Cincinnati.
The Revs need to bring their best defensive effort to get a result against the Union. They cannot afford to lose another game at home and drop to one point out of a possible nine to start the year.
While it is too early to be a must-win game, the Revs need to start winning.
I didn't expect a win but I did expect Schulte to be picking the ball out of his own net at least once.