The curtain will fall on the 2017 season, and also on Patrice Bernier’s career, on Sunday at 4pm. For this occasion, seventh place will be in play at Stade Saputo, against Kei Kamara’s teammates (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, CJAD 800 – TICKETS). Here are 10 things on the Revs.
Context
Seventh place is up for grabs on Sunday. The Revs are up three points on the Bleu-blanc-noir in the standings, but a win for the home team will allow them to leapfrog their opponents based on goal differential. It should also be duly noted that New England has still not won on the road this year and have only managed three draws, the last one managed being in late May. In their last three away games, the Revolution have allowed 16 goals…
Current form
W-D-L-W-L-L
Head coach
Tom Soehn (74-79-43 career record as New England’s coach and overall in the MLS) became interim head coach of the Revolution on September 18, 2017. The Chicago native started off as a player, notably in the indoor NPSL, the Canadian Soccer League, in the APSL, where he won two titles with the Colorado Foxes, in 1992 and 1993 - before losing in their third consecutive final against the Montreal Impact – and finally in the MLS. He finished his career with one MLS Cup and two U.S. Open Cups with the Chicago Fire. After his retirement, he immediately joined Chicago’s technical team as an assistant coach, eventually receiving the head coach position in 2007, earning a Supporters’ Shield, a U.S. Open Cup, and losing another final.
Current top scorer
Kei Kamara (12)
Players to watch
1. Lee Nguyen (#24) – Creator-in-Chief, the Texan leads the Revs this year with 15 assists in 2017. Although he plays on the left wing, he is an attacking force all over the pitch for his team.
2. Claude Dielna (#44) – The Frenchman joined the Revs on July 28 from Sheffield Wednesday. He has become a regular fixture at the heart of this team’s backline.
3. Diego Fagundez (#14) – A brace against New York City FC last Sunday increases his tally to six on the season. His quality dribbling makes him a constant threat in the final third.
Team profile
The Revolution always want to play in the attacking half, and they have the elements to do so: wingbacks with speed, central defensive midfielders that don’t mind being an attacking option, a handful of fast, sharp midfielders, and a striker that really pushes the defense and who is a good header of the ball. Tierney, Bunbury, Fagundez, and Rowe all have the ability to produce quality crosses from the wings for Kamara to get his head on, but the Revolution are also dangerous because they can adapt their attack, particularly by switching sides quickly and efficiently. Kamara’s presence down the middle creates a lot of space for his teammates to push forward and send him a ball behind the defense, but often they use that space to widen the play. However, because the Revs hold a high line, they are susceptible to defensive lapses, especially on quick counters or from crosses aimed at the short side, especially from the right side. If the opposing team does not counter however, the Revs are solid defensively, with Nguyen and Kamara pressing quietly in front of two lines of four players.
In 2017 :
<strong>Shots on target*</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from inside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from outside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored on headers</strong> |
<p>7th (162)</p> |
<p>=7th (47)</p> |
<p>=19th (3)</p> |
<p>=3rd (13)</p> |
<strong>Possession (%)</strong> |
<strong>Big chance conversion (%)</strong> |
<strong>Successful passes in attacking third (%)</strong> |
<strong>Duels won (%)</strong> |
<p>18th (45.2%)</p> |
<p>7th (50.8%)</p> |
<p>8th (67%)</p> |
<p>2nd (51.2%)</p> |
*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
The Revs changed their coach but not their tactical formation. Line-up against New York City FC (October 15): Knighton; Tierney, Dielna, Angoua, Farrell; Caldwell, Koffie; Fagundez, Nguyen, Burnbury; Németh.
Most recent games against the Impact
There was only one game against New England this year, September 9 at Gillette Stadium. Despite earning quality scoring chances on the road, the Bleu-blanc-noir fell 1-0, the goal coming from Nguyen to give New England the win.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of October 19)
M Kelyn Rowe (knee – day to day)
Upcoming games
See you next year!
