What Kamara brings and doesn’t bring to the Revolution

The New England Revolution made an enormous splash on Thursday when they announced that they had signed Kei Kamara, one of the deadliest strikers in all of MLS.

In acquiring him from the Columbus Crew, the Revolution have added a sixth forward to an interesting, talented, and crowded attacking core.

Offensively, the main questions seem to stem from which players will get benched as a result of the Sierra Leoneans arrival and whether or not Revs coach Jay Heaps will shift the team’s hybrid 4-5-1 formation.

On the surface, it appears as though Heaps is open to change.

“I think we’ll look at all of it… For me, formations are starting points,” Heaps told assembled media at Thursday’s training after the Kamara deal was announced. “How you defend and how you attack are fluid within the game.

I don’t feel like we’ve ever just played with one striker. I feel like we’re playing with three most of the time. It’s a lot about starting points.

“If we have two up there together and bring a third one later in the attack, or start with three up top and bring a midfielder in later, we’re going to attack. The players on the field are going to determine who’s playing. We’re going to get the best formation for our strengths.”

True, the Revolution don’t usually go about business with only one striker. In recent weeks, Diego Fagundez, Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe, and Teal Bunbury have all helped back-up the so-called “lone striker,” who for the last two games has been Juan Agudelo.

But at this rate, the Revolution attack is essentially six people trying to cram into a table for three. Not that that’s a bad thing; as Heaps also pointed on Thursday – and, as he’s said throughout his tenure as coach – competition for playing time is a good thing.

Here’s where the Revolution’s strikers rank, taking into account injuries.

It gets complicated when players like Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe are inserted into the mix, because both are often cast into a forward role.

But based on injuries and recent form, there seems to be no way not to start Kamara and Fagundez. Agudelo has scored in consecutive games, but has been no stranger to the bench. In addition, Nguyen has been inserted into a fifth midfielder/fourth striker role this season, like in last Sunday’s 4-2 loss to Los Angeles.

Based on what we’ve seen so far, Femi has been a legitimate talent to come off the bench. Meanwhile, once Bunbury and Davies return from their injuries, they’ll enter a tough, competitive fray for playing time.

Kamara and his new stomping ground

If you can’t beat them…have them join you; a slightly modified version of a popular saying.

Kei Kamara has terrorized the New England Revolution more than any active striker. He has 11 goals and three assists in 17 games against the Revs. In fact, he hasn’t had that type of success against any MLS team.

And, that doesn’t even include the goal he scored against New England in the 2008 Superliga final while he was with the Houston Dynamo.

Right away, a consistent, Eastern Conference-based threat has disappeared and turned into an ally.

Furthermore, this mid-May deal reeks of some other recent, mid-season signings that ended up saving the Revolution.

In 2013, Juan Agudelo joined the Revolution from Chivas USA, a move that sparked the attack and helped lead the club to the post-season. And, in 2014, Jermaine Jones arrived and helped the club essentially win out the season and make it all the way to the MLS Cup final.

What Kamara’s transfer doesn’t solve

Did the Revolution need to sign Kei Kamara?

The Revolution have scored 13 goals this season, which is above the Eastern Conference average (12.7) and only slightly below the league average (14.04).

New England have been shutout just three times all season. Their attacking core, before the Kamara signing, was comprised of some of the best attacking players in the league.

The season isn’t in crisis, either. True, the Revolution are only 1-3-7, but the general consensus is that the team has been better than its results.

And, while the club has only accrued 10 points so far this season and sits outside playoff contention, they could theoretically be in first place with two wins.

Average teams with an average performing offenses don’t usually win the Cup or the Supporters Shield. That’s true – but the elephant in the room as been the Revolution’s defense more than it’s attack.

The Revolution have surrendered 20 goals this season, which is tied for the most in the whole league. They’re surrendering two goals per game and have only managed two clean sheets.

And, as the past two games have shown, there’s not a lot of depth at full back, either.

If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo