The New England Revolution are in need of a win or two at the moment to arrest this worrying form. A visit of the Chicago Fire to Gillette Stadium was a must-win if the Revs are going to secure a spot in the post-season but it instead ended goalless.
Djordje Petrovic Just Gets Better and Better
Noel Buck Makes His First MLS Start
Following on from the loss against LA Galaxy in the last outing, there were three changes to the starting XI. Two of these were particularly significant, involving Noel Buck and Gustavo Bou. Starting first with Buck and the teenager made his first start in the league having made appearances off of the bench a few times in the last month or so.
Now to the Argentinian forward Bou and he has been sidelined for a while, so this was a welcome return to the side. It could have been anyway, but Bruce Arena had this to say on the matter. “I think we made a mistake with his rehabilitation. He should have been back on the field a lot sooner.” The final introduction saw new arrival Christian Makoun make way for Maciel.
Tonight's Starting XI ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JOVifmUvja
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 31, 2022
Moving over to the away side and the big news regarding Chicago was the absence of Xherdan Shaqiri. The two-time Champions League winner picked up an injury in the weekend’s defeat at the hands of CF Montreal. 21-year-old Illinois native Andre Reynolds II came into the side, replacing the Swiss star.
Read More: Djordje Petrovic is the latest Revolution signing- is he Turner’s replacement?
Djordje Petrovic Saves Another Penalty
Whilst Tommy McNamara saw his goal in the first half disallowed, Djordje Petrovic denied Chris Mueller from the penalty spot. The latter came first though and it was Henry Kessler who was the guilty party. An effort on goal struck the defender’s arm from close range. Referee Marcos de Oliveira was unmoved in the moment but after a VAR review, he had no choice but to point to the spot.
“He’s an amazing talent and he’s only getting better each and every game” are the words of defender DeJuan Jones on the Revolution’s shot-stopper. Petrovic has been excellent since coming into replace Matt Turner and he kept out former Orlando City man Mueller from 12 yards out. His coach was very complimentary also, “We lose the game tonight if he doesn’t save the penalty. He’s been very good.”
The best Young GK in MLS 😤 pic.twitter.com/tMabH8WlmY
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) September 1, 2022
Arena then went on to point out his team’s shortcomings in this area. “That, I believe, is our ninth penalty kick against us this year. I can’t even recall too many last year. So, we’ve done a poor job in that regard. And, you know, we’ve conceded too many penalties out of our back line.” Just moments later at the other end of the field, McNamara thought he’d put the hosts in front. VAR thwarted New England again as the ball had gone out in the build-up.
Despite the Revs continuing to push, they were unable to make the necessary breakthrough. A goalless draw of course means another clean sheet but it is two points dropped at the same time. Midfielder Matt Polster, formerly of the Fire, spoke frankly after his 150th MLS appearance. “At this point we have to just win. We have to win every game now basically. It’s getting more and more – we’re just building pressure at this point.”
Attentions turn to the weekend where both of this teams will be up against it once again. Ezra Hendrickson’s Chicago side will visit the Columbus Crew whilst the Revs welcome NYCFC to Foxborough. Djordje Petrovic continues to be the man to watch amongst Arena’s ranks.
