So far in 2020, it seemed New England's soccer club had found a way to compete with anyone in the league, earning a point in all regular-season games since March. But on Wednesday night, it appeared they reverted back into a sheepish unit against NYCFC. The Revolution were beat in all stages of the game and couldn't find a way to dig themselves out of the rut they put themselves in during the first half.
Let's look at the starting 11...
Headshots from revolutionsoccer.net.
Bruce Arena
DeJuan Jones
Henry Kessler
Michael Mancienne
Brandon Bye
Matt Polster
Tommy McNamara
Kelyn Rowe
Cristian Penilla
Teal Bunbury
Gustavo Bou
Matt Turner
TAKEAWAYS
Note: ESPN has blacked out the game replay, so I will not have any film to share in this breakdown.
The high line
Bruce Arena
several
Bruce Arena
- 33:55 - The press was broken down and NYCFC was able to simply build out of the back
- 58:05 - The leaky press directly resulted in an NYCFC chance
Back line to midfield
Michael Mancienne
Henry Kessler
Matt Polster
Set piece defending
- I can't imagine why - especially after NYCFC went to the near post in the 14th minute - the Revolution would decide to put Mancienne on the front post, when Adam Buksa is arguably the team's best aerial threat.
- The Revolution also have Kekuta Manneh standing 10 yards from Ronald Matarrita, who was taking the kick. This position ultimately serves no purpose, especially since there is no NYCFC player there to receive a short pass. That seems like a lack of awareness on the team's part for not pulling him in.
THREE UP
Matt Turner
Diego Fagundez
- 69:00 - A great service leading to a chance
- 76:45 - Fagundez springs Bou on a counter opportunity
- 80:17 - Fagundez good in possession
- 80:43 - Fagundez good in possession
Tommy McNamara
THREE DOWN
Bruce Arena
Matt Polster
Michael Mancienne
PLAYER RATINGS
PARTING THOUGHT
Gustavo Bou