The Revolution are on a mini-hot streak. They haven’t lost since July 11th, winning 4 and tying once. They are starting to recover from their summer swoon just in time. They are three quarters through the season with 8 games left sitting in 5th place. They are 4th in the East with goals given up and 5th for goals scored. These are clearly average statistics, and if the Rev’s want to get back to the MLS Cup, they need to start playing a lot better than average, or they will be bounced in the first round of the playoffs. In the last 8 games, Rev’s fans need to see what the Revolution used to be known for, great combination play, dangerous attacking and stout defending.
The Revolution play a 4-5-1, which means the success of the team lives and dies on the play of their midfield. The problem is, that has been a source of great inconsistency over the season. Lee Nguyen and Diego Fagundez seem to be heating up, though, at the right time and their offensive potency will be crucial to the team’s success. Nguyen in the past 6 games has 3 goals and 2 assists. While Fagundez only has a goal and an assist in the past 6, he has been confident on the ball and a willing defender. Kelyn Rowe has started to put the pieces together and it is this triumvirate that will be depended on during the final stretch. Juan Agudelo and Teal Bunbury haven’t come alive yet like they have in years past but to have those two waiting in the wings must bring a sense of comfort to Coach Jay Heaps. The key is for Fagundez and Rowe to stay honest on defense, and Jermaine Jones and Scott Caldwell have formed a solid pair as the central defensive midfielders.
It is hard to overstate the importance of Jermaine Jones to this team. When he is missing they are without the most crucial part of their central spine. He is not just a solid defender or the main communicator, he helps to organize the flow of play out of the back and his relationship with Caldwell has only grown with their time together. Jones has said of Caldwell he anticipates him to take over his spot on the USMNT, and while that may be a couple years away, their relationship allows Defenders Chris Tierney and Jeremy Hall to make runs up the flanks to provide dangerous crosses into Charlie Davies and the rest.
Too often, even last weekend against the Philadelphia Union, the Rev’s have relapse moments. Times when they are slow to pick up a defender, or close the gap on a passing lane and turmoil ensues. Against the Red Bulls the Revolution were eaten alive by an aggressive offense. The Revolution thrive on the counterattack but it is this urge to counter that often leaves them susceptible. The more they can develop bringing up the ball more methodically, the better off they will be. And with the likes of Jones, Nguyen, Rowe and Fagundez, this should be extremely achievable. All one has to do is look at the goal from Fagundez last week. A couple passes up the field leads to a defense that is forced to spread out. As a result, Fagundez has room to dribble to the top of the 18 and rip a shot beautifully into the lower left corner.
The Rev’s are far from being a juggernaut right now. This writer thought at the beginning of the season they had the potential to be a dynasty with such a young, dynamic team. But with youth comes inconsistency. Jones will help keep the team aligned as long as he can stay on the field. And if he can help keep this team straight, they have a chance to keep going straight on to the cup again. With eight games left, a lot has left to be determined, key amongst them, is the Revolution’s chance for greatness.
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