Photo: Kari Heistad
3 Hopes and One Fear for New England Revolution
By Julian Cardillo
The Hopes
1. That Lee Nguyen picks up right where he left off
Much of the Revolution’s success last year was based on Lee Nguyen’s form, which was MVP caliber by year’s end. Nguyen’s game-winning goal vs. San Jose last April gave the Revolution their first win of the year, the opening act to roller coaster ride of a season that concluded with a sterling run in the playoffs and an appearance at MLS Cup.
Whether Nguyen can pick-up where he left off remains to be seen. He’s dealt with injuries and hasn’t really been involved in preseason, which means he may be one step off from the rest of his teammates. For so many players, success is contingent on those around them. While Nguyen certainly had help from his teammates last year, one of the reasons he made so many breakthroughs in 2015 is his uncanny ability to get things done on his own. At the very least he’s going into this season with confidence, as he’s been called into two consecutive national team camps
2. The Diego Fagundez of 2013 returns
No one was happy with how Diego Fagundez’s 2014 season went. He was a benchwarmer for most of the summer and fall, scoring only a handful of goals after impressing in 2013. The hope is that Fagundez returns to his old form and begins scoring goals in bushels. Like Nguyen, he too has confidence from national team action.
Fagundez was selected by the Uruguay U-20 national team for South American championships this summer and was even reportedly courted by Serie A side Atalanta. But unlike Nguyen, Fagundez needs to work in concert with his teammates. That’s why the return of Juan Agudelo might be so key; as a hold-up player, Agudelo opens up space for Fagundez to take on opposing defenses and go at goal. This was evident in 2013 when Fagundez emerged as a rising talent in MLS, and again two weeks ago in the Revolution’s 1-1 preseason tie with Colorado.
3. Soccer specific stadium plans are announced
A soccer stadium to call their own—complete with real grass and an urban setting—is exactly what the Revolution organization and their fans need and hope for. The benefits of having their own stadium have been stated thousands of times and don’t need to be repeated. But late last season, word leaked the Revolution were eyeing a plot of land south of Boston. The Kraft Family and MLS seem to be all for the move.
All that’s left are figuring out the logistics. That said, Boston’s bid to host the 2024 Olympics has huge implications for stadium construction. Boston would need an Olympic stadium—one that has a track. There’s a possibility that the Revolution could use a scaled down version of whatever Olympic stadium gets constructed. Here’s to hoping.
The Fear
That the Revolution don’t make the playoffs- Not making MLS Cup would be okay—but not making the playoffs would be catastrophic. It would be two steps back for Jay Heaps’s crew, which is largely still intact after this past offseason. The conference is helped by Houston and Sporting Kansas City leaving, even if NYCFC and Orlando City, both of which look like playoff-caliber teams—have entered. But how many people actually predict the Revolution to finish lower than sixth?
