Sweeney: Five soccer takeaways from Saturday's action

FOXBOROUGH — A few thoughts, musings, and wonderment from the world of soccer on Saturday…

I really thought the Revolution lacked urgency in the first half Saturday

Some may disagree with me — Bruce Arena certainly did in the post-match presser — but even with 57 percent possession, it didn’t feel like the Revs wanted Saturday night’s match with Real Salt Lake, which finished in a scoreless draw.

The facts: the Revolution had no shots on target in the first 45 minutes, with the closest New England came to scoring was a Carles Gil curler that caromed off the top of the crossbar in front of the Banner End.

The first half, while the Revs owned the possession, was not an attractive advert for the sport. People want to see goals, as well as scoring chances. And just because you can own the match with the possession numbers, it doesn’t mean you’re the better team (ask former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that and see type of response you get).

New England did better in the second half — Arena agreed there — and there were a number of chances to score, none better than Gustavo Bou in second-half stoppage time. But instead of getting behind the ball, he got under it, and it landed somewhere near the beer stands.

If there was urgency for points, the shot would have been taken with more care, with more precision.

Not only that, RSL interim coach Freddy Juarez elected to trot out a mainly second-choice XI out there against the Revolution, resting a number of first choicers in Nick Rimando, Albert Rusnak, and Jefferson Savarino for Wednesday’s important Western Conference six-pointer with LA Galaxy, 2-1 winners over Montreal.

If there was urgency, the Revolution would have peppered the hell out of RSL keeper Andrew Putna.

They didn’t do that, and so the spoils were shared.

Wednesday is looking huge

With the action done for Saturday, here’s where the Revolution stand: seventh place, 10-10-11, 41 points. New York Red Bulls are ahead on 44 points, with Chicago — which claimed a point against FC Cincinnati Saturday night — sitting eighth in the East (9-12-11, 38). Montreal is ninth (11-17-4, 37), and Orlando City is 10th (9-14-9, 36). In addition, Columbus — and what a drop it has had this season — sits 11th (9-15-8, 35).

Here's the full table:



Right now, only one spot remains -- seventh. Using our ever-sharp math skills, a Revolution win against Portland on Wednesday would effectively eliminate Columbus, Orlando City, and Montreal from playoff contention: the three points would give the Revs 44, and with two matches remaining for those three, they cannot overcome that deficit.

A Revs draw with the Timbers would be enough to eliminate Columbus, and would keep Orlando City and Montreal both alive until Sunday, when New England hosts New York City FC in the final home game of 2019 (5 p.m.).

Now — The Boys In Blue have never won in Portland, but they’ll have the advantage of a few extra hours of recovery: Portland plays host to Minnesota United this afternoon (3:55 p.m., ESPN), so that’s a scouting opportunity for those of you who’ll be sick and tired of the Pats blowing out the Jets (“Meet the Jets, Meet the Jets, Head to Gillette and Beat the Jets”). That midweek tilt is a — meeeeeep — 10:30 p.m. start here in Boston.

It’s looking like a huge match, and if the Revs can earn the dub, they’ll be sitting pretty heading into the weekend.

If they don’t, they’ll be limping toward the finish line, begging for someone to stick a fork in them.

Martinez may be out a while

If the season were to end today, the Revs would face off against Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs; and remember, the playoffs this year start after the October international break, with the MLS Cup Final occurring on Sunday, Nov. 10, the day before the November international break.

Of course, that sounds — read: is — bad news for the Revolution, who have made two trips to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and have a goal difference of minus-8 while there. More than likely, if things go as they are, the Revs will take on the Five Stripes — unless Atlanta supplants NYCFC for first in the East, which would see the Revs playing the Pigeons, more than likely in East Hartford or at CitiField or some far-flung locale outside of the five boroughs. Still too early to think about that.

But Atlanta, while beating San Jose, 3-1, Saturday afternoon, lost Josef Martinez late in the game as he collided with teammate Pity Martinez and fell awkwardly to the turf. He was stretchered off, and Atlanta should know more about the time table for his return sometime today. AUFC coach Frank De Boer said the injury is serious.

You never want to see a valiant opponent go down like that, especially so late in the season with the playoffs looming.

I think Atlanta can withstand the injury, given what it has on its roster for goal-scoring talent, but that could be a blow for a deep, deep run in the East.

2020 US Open Cup qualifying is underway

Two matches Saturday afternoon kicked off the 2020 US Open Cup tournament in our neighborhood: Safira FC of the UPSL took on Kendall Wanderers of the Bay State Soccer League at Cambridge’s Danehy Park, with Safira claiming a 5-nil victory. Rigoberto and Hugo Bomfim each had a brace, while Michael Rincon scored the other goal.

And Brockton United FC, a Bay State Soccer League team, knocked off Juve-Pro Soccer in Taunton, 1-0, behind a Ricky Alves goal in the 73rd minute.

We’re expecting both teams to face off in the Second Qualifying Round. Keep an eye on my Twitter feed, and we’ll bring you the news when we find out when and where that one will be played.

Manchester City put a hurting on Watford

8-0. Ouch. Can a team be relegated this early in the season? That’s… just hard to look at without wincing