Foxborough, MASS– After an international break that saw the USMNT play twice and not concede a single goal, MLS action is back. They put three past Morocco before tying Uruguay in a goalless draw in two friendlies. Matt Turner of the New England Revolution started in goal in the win over the African side. Whilst he and Adam Buksa are now no longer going to be playing in Boston, the show must go on!
The New England Revolution Return From the International Break
SKC are Having a Season to Forget!
There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the New England Revolution this term but that is nothing in comparison to the hole their upcoming opponents find themselves in. Sporting Kansas City are usually expected to be challenging at the top of the Western Conference but currently, they’re not occupying a playoff berth.
The sentiment from Bruce Arena is that “I think there’s a lot of positive moments ahead for our team”. After a slow start, things are looking up with the Revs sitting just a couple of points below the playoff line. Miami, Charlotte, Columbus and Atlanta are the others in this battle with Arena’s men at the moment and the results against this group have been a mixed bag. New England have faced Charlotte and Miami twice, winning one and losing the other both times.
MELIA SAVES IT AGAIN!!!! @SPORTINGKC WIN!!!
SKC: ✅✅✅
SJ: ❌❌❌#SKCvSJ // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/7lEwkT7Jch— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2020
Sporting Kansas City are currently at the foot of the West but as a conference, it doesn’t seem to be a reflection of the usual standings. Colorado, Seattle and Portland, three MLS powerhouses, are also below the line at the time of writing.
Johnny Russell and Daniel Salloi were a deadly duo going forward for Peter Vermes and although they have both turned up on certain occasions, it still is not going to plan. Only Toronto FC and the San Jose Earthquakes have conceded more goals than Sporting’s 26, which averages out at just under two a game.
The History of This Fixture
Both the New England Revolution and SKC failed to win prior to the international break. The former drew at home to the Union despite having the bulk of the chances whilst the latter were defeated by Vancouver at Children’s Mercy Park. Talking of the home of Kansas City and, for various reasons, the Revs haven’t won there since 2014. There have only been four meetings in that time period in Kansas, two of which ended in draws, but that is still a long time regardless.
11 Years Ago today, the best fans in the @MLS got a new home as @CMPark opened to a capacity crowd.
Happy Birthday Children's Mercy Park! You're as beautiful as ever. #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/msWsbRMloM
— Sporting KC STMs (@SportingKCSTM) June 9, 2022
In the five meetings, no matter what the venue, between the two since that 3-2 Revs win in the September of 2014, it has been a fairly even affair. They have enjoyed two wins a piece whilst the latest outing was a dramatic 4-4 draw. The New England Revolution lead 3-1 at half-time but ended the game with just nine men, and with just one point also. Brandon Bye was one of the players dismissed whilst his current fullback partner DeJuan Jones was on the scoresheet in 2019.
There has not been a fixture since due to, of course, covid. The East and the West were shut off to each other and so this year is the full return of enticing cross-conference clashes.
Matt Turner and Adam Buksa Officially Leave the New England Revolution
As previously mentioned, Matt Turner and Adam Buksa will no longer be donning a New England Revolution journey. It was old news that the goalkeeper was Arsenal-bound but after performing particularly well, Buksa has secured a move of his own to Europe. In Turner’s place will likely be Serbian shot-stopper Djordje Petrovic.
Here are Petrovic’s early thoughts on life in and around Boston: “I have to say that I have acclimated well to the team, but not as much to the city itself and the lifestyle. I had to acclimate and get used to the field and the team, and I have to say that the greatest challenge for me is still the language barrier. But every day, my English is improving and it’s getting better.”
No surprise with Matt Turner on international duty, but Bruce Arena just said with @ZoandBertrand on @985TheSportsHub that Djordje Petrović will make his MLS debut on Sunday when the #NERevs visit Sporting Kansas City (3 p.m. ET on ABC).
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) June 10, 2022
The other issue is how Buksa will be replaced. A decent fee has been fetched for him and the responsibility will now fall on the shoulders of Gustavo Bou and Jozy Altidore. Bou has just returned from injury and scored against Philly whilst Jozy is yet to string any notable amount of minutes together.
SKC may have started this season very poorly but they are not to be undermined. Vermes has players at his disposal who can change the game in an instance. The same goes for Arena and the New England Revolution though so it promises to be a fascinating encounter on Sunday.
Click here to read an exclusive interview with Damian “Tico” Rivera from last week!
