Although it felt like the New England Revolution were bound to put one in the back of the net by the end of the game on Saturday night, they were never able to do so. The blue shirts did just about everything they could -- including hitting two posts -- to go ahead and walk away with three points, but instead had to settle for one against Real Salt Lake.
Let's look at the starting 11...
Headshots from revolutionsoccer.net.
Gustavo Bou
Teal Bunbury
Juan Fernando Caicedo
Cristian Penilla
Carles Gil
Luis Caicedo
Wilfried Zahibo
DeJuan Jones
Antonio Delamea
Andrew Farrell
Brandon Bye
Matt Turner
TAKEAWAYS
Looking at the midfield
Albert Rusnak
Kelyn Rowe
Justin Portillo
Damir Kreilach
Defensive cover
Damir Kreilach
Before and after Bou
MLSsoccer.com
MLSsoccer.com
THREE UP
Gustavo Bou
Wilfried Zahibo
Carles Gil
MLSsoccer.com
THREE DOWN
Brandon Bye
Juan Fernando Caicedo
Matt Turner
- In the 24th minute, he couldn't handle a shot from Kelyn Rowe. The shot wasn't knuckling (you could tell from the camera view behind Turner on the replay) and he gave up a sloppy rebound that could've been big trouble if there were any RSL players hovering at the top of the box.
- Then 10 minutes later there was a service floated into the box, and he jumped out to contend for the cross. He didn't time it well and he didn't get there in time to get his hands on it. If RSL forward Sam Johnson got a clearer connection on his header, the goal was open and he likely would've scored. You have to be sure that the ball will be yours when coming out as a goalkeeper.
- And in the 92nd minute, his distribution put Diego Fagundez under pressure upon receiving the ball. Distribution from the goalkeeper should rarely -- if ever -- put a player under pressure, especially in stoppage time.
Teal Bunbury
PLAYER RATINGS
PARTING THOUGHT
- The most intriguing matchup, in my opinion, will be Diego Chara vs. Luis Caicedo. Both players are similar in nature and do much of the same work for their respective teams at the defensive midfield position.
- Brian Fernandez vs. the Revolution center backs. If you ask me, Fernandez is one of the most dynamic scoring forces in the league. He should be causing all sorts of problems for whatever two center backs get the nod on Wednesday. If you ask me, it should be Delamea and Farrell; Michael Mancienne would struggle to keep up physically.
- Sebastian Blanco vs. Carles Gil. This matchup won't be direct; meaning I don't think these two will see each other much on the field. But the matchup is quantitative in that it will be a matchup of who can create more for their team in the attacking third.
- The Revolution vs. Providence Park. The Timbers support is great. Their fans are electric and given the position of their team in the playoff race, they will be desperate for a win. They'll be loud and it will be the closest thing that the Revolution get to a true playoff game before playoffs (if they get in). Big venue, big spot, big game. How will New England handle that?
- How much will Diego Valeri play? On Sunday, Valeri came off the bench and played 30 minutes against Minnesota United FC. Perhaps they were resting him because of the double game week ahead, but it's something to keep an eye on.