Usseglio: Victory on Alumni Night
Revolution finally win at home
The New England Revolution defeated rival D.C. United on Saturday night by a score of 2-0. The result was their third regular-season win at home, coming 112 days after their last Foxboro victory against New York City FC in mid-April.
It was a strange night, as it has been a complicated time for the Revs. Fans are upset about the state of the team, and although New England came away with 3 points, I am not sure Saturday night’s performance will change their perception.
The Revs only generated 3 shots on goal in the entire game, against one of the worst teams in the league. In fact, I would argue that D.C. United, playing under an interim manager, looked the better side in the first half.
How were the Revs able to win? They converted two of the three chances they created. Forward Leo Campana scored a header from a Carles Gil cross in the 62nd minute. The Captain then scored his own golazo in the 70th minute, after a sweet Cruyff turn at the top of the box and firing home a shot with his right foot.
We are accustomed to the brilliance of Gil carrying the Revolution this season. There is no surprise he was able to find another goal. His two goal contributions in the game saw him pass club legend Taylor Twellman for the most goal contributions in Revs history, his legacy as the best player to don a Revolution uniform further cemented.
While I am happy that Campana found the back of the net and Carles Gil continues to do Carles Gil things, none of the underlying problems of the Revolution have been solved. They continue to play the way they have all year.
The addition of Matt Turner certainly helps in defense, as the Revolution earned a clean sheet, but there were moments against D.C. where the Revs were asking United to score. Too many bad turnovers and mistakes led to opportunities that a better team would have put away. The systemic problems in the team and style of play are not going anywhere, despite Turner being back.
I am happy the Revs were able to win at home against D.C. United. Beating United always feels good. I am glad that Turner got a clean sheet and that Campana might start scoring more goals.
I loved seeing all the Revs alumni and that the club is honoring their great players. I am cautiously optimistic about the potential stadium in Everett and the investment the owners would be making in the team to make that happen.
But I am also disappointed in the lack of accountability and messaging to fans about the state of the team. I am worried about the direction the team is going if the performances on the field do not change. I do not want to waste the best years of the best player in club history. I want the fans to be happy and proud of the team they support. I want the Revs to win.
Where does that leave me? Feeling a lot of things.
Such is the life of a Revolution supporter.
Let’s see how we are all feeling next weekend after the game against LAFC and Son Heung-min.
It was the not quite the best of times, and not quite the worst of times, either. But yes, accountability would be a wonderful thing.