They say history has a tendency to repeat itself. For the 2015 New England Revolution, this seems to be the case and also appears to be what they are hoping for. Mind you, they are not hoping to repeat their MLS Cup curse, in which they are 0-5. Last year, the Rev’s started out their first 5 games with one win, three losses and a tie. This year they have two losses, two wins and one tie. However, there is great cause for optimism. Last year after those first 5 games, they rolled off 6 wins in an unbeaten streak of 7 games (they tied one). The Revolution have good reason to believe they can emulate the past for a number of reasons.
Are the Revolution back on the Path to Greatness?
Last Saturday against the Colorado Rapids, the Revs looked flat out dangerous on offense. While still shaky on D, causing a number of pressure filled moments, the Revs showed they are one of the top-tier offensive juggernauts in the league. Seattle, Vancouver, Dallas and LA are likely the only other teams that can boast such a formidable midfield and attack. Kelyn Rowe has been one of the best wing midfielders in the league, scoring two goals and one unbelievable assist to Agudelo in the past two games. Scott Caldwell and Andy Dorman, along with Daigo Kobayashi have been more than serviceable replacements for Jermaine Jones. Likely it will be Caldwell or Kobayashi who will suit up alongside Jones when he returns.
In fact, one could argue the Revolution may have too deep a midfield group, with 8 potential starters for 5 openings. The Revolution will have to figure out what they want to do with Teal Bunbury and Diego Fagundez if Agudelo and Rowe keep up their current form. Fagundez has struggled the past two seasons to get consistent playing time, however he is a 20 year old playing for the Uruguayan Youth National teams. The Revs may be able to get good money for him overseas or perhaps a high quality defender in a trade from around the league. Regardless, the midfield is strong and may get bolstered even further with the return of Jermaine Jones either this week or next. When Jones came to the team last year, things changed considerably, where they went 8-1-1 to end the regular season, then won three playoffs games only to lose in the MLS Cup. Here is hoping Jones return this month echoes those results.
The Revolution have had a softer schedule in the beginning of this season, with two recent games against struggling Montreal and Colorado. Their fortunes continue this Saturday against the Crew. While playing a formidable side in the Columbus Crew, the Crew have a short turnaround, playing tonight against a very tough opponent in Vancouver. Heavy legs from Columbus won’t help against a New England team that flourishes in their counter-attack. It is also the first meeting between these two since the MLS playoffs last season. For those that remember, New England bounced the Crew out with a 4-2 and 3-1 wins. The Crew boasts a formidable team and a fantastic midfield themselves. In many ways the Crew and Rev’s are near mirror images. They both play a 4-5-1 although in different ways. They both have dynamic central attacking midfielders in Higuain and Nguyen. They are solid through the spine and have a strong but sometimes shaky central defense. Kamara makes the Crew more dangerous up top then they were, but Davies has been solid since the late tear he went on in ’14.
The Revolution should be able to capitalize on the Crew’s two game week and continue their three game unbeaten streak. With Jones coming back and Swagudelo finding his stride, all the pieces are coming into place for a New England Revolution, poised for a strong run, just like last year. While history can repeat itself, we can learn from it to change it to our desires. The Revolutions only desire at this point is an MLS Cup championship, and in this sense, the only concern is the future.
