{"id":28839,"date":"2020-08-20T22:46:47","date_gmt":"2020-08-21T02:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=28839"},"modified":"2020-08-20T23:10:20","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T03:10:20","slug":"revolution-unon-mls-restart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2020\/08\/20\/revolution-unon-mls-restart\/","title":{"rendered":"Revolution, Union settle for 0-0 draw in regular season restart"},"content":{"rendered":"

Foxborough, Mass.<\/strong>\u200a\u2014\u200aBeating the Philadelphia Union<\/a> continues to be a tricky proposition for the New England Revolution<\/a>, which extended its winless run against its rivals to seven games in all competitions in Thursday night\u2019s 0\u20130 draw at empty and quiet Gillette Stadium.<\/p>\n

The match restarted the 2020 MLS regular season for both teams and also served as the two sides\u2019 first game since Philadelphia eliminated the Revolution in the Round of 16 of the MLS is Back Tournament, 1\u20130, on July 25.<\/p>\n

New England pressed high and started with energy inside the first 15 minutes, but struggled to maintain their attack without playmaker Carles Gil (Achilles). Meanwhile, head coach Bruce Arena (suspended) sat in the stands due to a red card he received in the tournament.<\/p>\n

“Obviously defending as a group is the main thing and we did that really well tonight,” said midfielder Matt Polster, who made his first appearance with the Revolution since being acquired in July from Rangers FC. “We limited the front three to very little…But a 0-0 draw at home isn’t good enough.”<\/p>\n

The Revolution (1\u20131\u20134, 7 points) improve to seventh in the Eastern Conference and remain just two points behind the fourth place Union.<\/p>\n

New England is now 6\u201314\u20136 all-time against Philadelphia, including 3\u20135\u20134 at home.<\/p>\n

Revolution start strong but held scoreless<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Brandon Bye released Gustavo Bou, who fired a hard drive to the far post that Union goalkeeper Andre Blake parried away in the ninth minute for the first chance of the game.<\/p>\n

Then, Philadelphia\u2019s Mark McKenzie blocked Cristian Penilla\u2019s solo effort on goal in the 10th minute and the crossbar denied Adam Buksa’s effort from in close off Bou’s feed from the left side.<\/p>\n

“He hit the crossbar or post early,” Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams said of Buksa’s performance. “He had some looks, and Philly have very good defenders so it’s not easy, and sometimes they had numbers behind the ball.”<\/p>\n

New England mostly threatened with Bou and Penilla, as Buksa played the target striker role. Kelyn Rowe and Matt Polster, handled central midfield, while full backs Alexander Buttner and Brandon Bye pushed into the attack, with the Revolution producing 44 crosses on the night.<\/p>\n

“We were eager to get into the attack and start crossing, which is fine and great and we should do it, but I also think we need to find composure in moments to slow the game down in their half and start combining,” Polster said.<\/p>\n

\n

Richie Williams, filling in for Bruce tonight, gives his thoughts on that first half performance.#NERevs<\/a> | @JetBlue<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mVCdbKt0jK<\/a><\/p>\n

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) August 21, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n