Usseglio: Treading Water

Revs Remain in Playoff Hunt

Photo By J. Alexander Dolan

It’s been a minute. Sometimes things in life are going on that require your time and attention. As things begin to settle, I am happy to be back writing another piece about the New England Revolution.

Since the last time I wrote, the Revs have drawn 3-3 in Kansas City, drawn 1-1 away to DC United, trampled Montréal 3-0 at Stade Saputo, and lost at home 1-0 to Pat Noonan’s FC Cincinnati.

The Revolution have played 16 games so far, just one shy of the halfway mark of their 34 game MLS season. Despite having been dealt a lopsided schedule to begin their campaign, only playing six games at home, and admittedly not playing well out of the gate, New England finds themselves just outside of a playoff spot.

Currently sitting in 11^th place in the Eastern Conference, the Revs have 2 games in hand over most of their competition. The away-dominant schedule they endured for the first half of their season will now flip to a home-heavy schedule for the remainder of the year.

We all know the formula: to make the playoffs in MLS you need to win your home games and draw on the road. If the Revolution are able to take advantage of their slate of home games and games in hand, they could quickly climb up the table.

At this point, there is nothing else to worry about. No more US Open Cup games. No Leagues Cup this year. Just MLS.

In order to get over the hump and return to the playoffs, the Revolution will need to find ways to score goals. I think we can all agree that the defense has been better this season, a significant improvement from last year. It feels like the Revs have been in every game, whether or not they were able to get a result in the end.

The switch to the 3-5-2 formation, in my opinion, has been a revelation. It has unlocked Carles Gil to play his best game. It has engaged the young wingbacks in Peyton Miller and Ilay Feingold. Having three central defenders with Matt Polster providing an extra layer of protection has helped keeper Aljaž Ivačič accumulate clean sheets and one of the best defensive starts to a season in Revolution history.

If only the attacking players could stay healthy. Star signing Leo Campana has dealt with a series of injuries that have prevented him from contributing to the attack. It has been a similar story for the young Argentine Luca Langoni, though he also seemed to be out of favor with the switch to the new formation prior to his injury.

Ignatius Ganago has provided a lot of minutes, slowly starting to contribute goals and assists before an injury sidelined him too. The attacking depth at striker is pretty thin. Veterans Maxi Urruti and Luis Diaz have been called into starting spots and designated player Tomás Chancalay is still working to full fitness after returning from his devastating injury last season.

If the Revs want to score goals and push for the playoffs, it is likely they will need to add a player in the summer transfer window. Someone who has a proven goal scoring record and will be available consistently. If they can make a signing and have Campana, Langoni, Ganago, and Chancalay return to form, their attack should be formidable.

Though they are not currently in a playoff spot, I am more optimistic about this team than I have been in a while. They are figuring out their system, solidified their defense, and started scoring some goals despite all of the injuries. Things will need to go their way in terms of the health of the team, but playing more of their games at home should help them build momentum and push up the standings.

Hopefully, this time off will help the players recover and be ready for their next games against Nashville and Colorado. The games are going to come quickly over the next month, with a lot of midweek games mixed in with the weekend games. The Revolution will need to remain healthy and rely on its depth to get results.

Let’s see if they can do it.