FOXBOROUGH — If there’s any soccer team outside of the collective six-state region that feels like it’s on a teeter-totter through the first month of the 2019 Major League Soccer season, it’s this weekend’s Revolution opponent, Minnesota United FC.
On paper, it doesn’t look it. The Loons are 2-1-0 and coming off an early season bye, with their last match, a 3-2 loss to LA Galaxy, played two weeks ago. And while MNUFC looked solid offensively against rebuilding Vancouver and struggling San Jose — a combined 6-2 scoreline in those two — the Loons looked positively in shambles defensively against the Galaxy.
Which Minnesota United squad shows up to Gillette this Saturday (2 p.m.)? That’s anyone’s guess.
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For Revolution fans, all of whom consider Saturday a second March must-win tilt given the way last Sunday evolved, they are hoping it’s the Loons side that took on the Galaxy.
Granted, Minnesota was stretched against LA given new Galaxy manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto employed additional attackers, even without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romain Alessandrini. If New England wishes to be successful against Minnesota, it might be a prudent thought to add an extra offensive-minded player, i.e. a fifth, and quite possibly play in the similar 4-1-4-1 formation like last week. Quite simply, Minnesota cannot handle additional attacking options.
Against LA’s countering, the Loons were disorganized — even with new defenders in Ike Opara (formerly with Sporting Kansas City) and Ozzie Alonso (Seattle). If anything, New England needs to hit MNUFC with its speed on the counter, and not let the Loons have the opportunity to get set up and bunker in.
More to unpack about Minnesota for BSJ subscribers:
Expect Minnesota to set a high line of contention when the ball is in the Revs’ half. There should be plenty of space with which to work if it utilizes a 3-man line, all to get the ball through to the midfield. They can press, and will do so against teams they feel are more likely to give up the ball.
Everything — and I mean everything — offensively goes through Darwin Quintero in the midfield; he has an engine, and a rather strong right foot. Although we noticed the play of Romario in our film review. He’s setting up opportunities and can create space for himself, so it would be prudent for the Revolution, on defense, to close down on both of them as quick as they can. For Wilfried Zahibo, should he see the XI for Brad Friedel’s bunch, that means he needs to be quicker in his decision-making; none of this giving time and space to the attacker stuff. Minnesota likes to play direct, and will build mainly from the wings. This is an offense which can feel opportunistic should the Revs defending not do its job.
One thing we noticed with Minnesota defensively: left back Francisco Calvo will, on occasion, cheat in toward the center of the box. If Diego Fagundez or whomever Friedel has out on the right hold their run and wait for Calvo to start inching toward the center, that will give the Revs the time to play into space and have joy with the Loons out of position. New Zealander Michael Boxall is a big presence in the back, just like Ike Opara.
If the Revs get loads of possession, expect United to sit back with sometimes 8 or 9 behind the ball. That could happen, given New England’s difficulties in breaking down bunkered in defenses. However, if the Revs want to take a risk and have a solid run into space, they have a tendency not to pick up the run until it’s too late. They also have difficulty in defending set pieces.
Be aware of Jan Gregus in the defensive central midfield! The Sovakian has pace in tracking back, and don’t be surprised if he has a go from distance should he catch Brad Knighton or whomever starts in goal off his line.
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This weekend is the Midnight Riders' Sixth Annual Chili Cook-Off, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday until 1:30 p.m. The Riders are asking for $5 per person, or a donation of a non-perishable food item, to taste all the wonderful chilis prepared. All proceeds go to The Food Bank of Western Mass.
More info is here.
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