The New England Revolution failed to redeem themselves in another catastrophe at home, losing 2-0 to Atlanta United FC. This was a game that neither halves of the game got better than the other in a significant way. The first twenty minutes of the game could have costed the Revs two goals had it not been for the defensive work of Andrew Farrell.
With Farrell blocking two open goal shots by Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez, (6′) and Julian Gressel, (14′), this would have been a 0-4 score line without those defensive plays. For the first half I saw a bit of a more motivated New England in previous games but that seemed to vanish as the game went on.
In the 29th minute Atlanta United scores in a highly congested box with many men in position but no one paying attention to the quick cut to the middle of the box with Cody Cropper looking in one direction. Just some minutes before the first half ending, in the 37th minute, a New England goal is disallowed due to DeJuan Jones, the goal scorer, being offside. A quality goal with a good attempt that made it into the net but unfortunately not accounted for. Both Atlanta United and the Revs making good runs down the field it seems as no one is finishing correctly to amplify the score or the atmosphere in the stands.
With the opening to the second half, Atlanta United’s Ezequiel Barco takes a shot outside of the box with a curved shot right around New England’s Cody Cropper’s head into the net. With the next few minutes of the game being a little scrambled on the Rev’s part, coach Brad Friedel brings in two reinforcements to the game in the 56th minute…Teal Bunbury in for Zahibo, and Diego Fagúndez for DeJuan Jones.
Skipping to the 76th minute of the game comes New England’s first target shot by Tajon Buchanan, saved by Brad Guzan the goalie for Atlanta United FC. With a final free kick for the Revs in the 83rd minute that was just a little too high the game was basically over with a final score of 0-2 in Atlanta’s favor.
This game result and performance, caused an uproar on social media with some fans, one of them in particular tweeting, “#NERevs are 16 minutes away from being shutout for the third time at home in four home games. Reaching new lows.” (Tweeted by @SeanLDonahue)
When can we start asking the players to at the least play for the fans?
In the post-game press conference Revs coach, Brad Friedel said, “I think the players knew the first half an hour didn’t go well, um and we found ourselves down a goal. I think if the goal stood, then it’s different. We needed that break to give our chances and we didn’t get it tonight.”
After the match Andrew Farrell spoke about the game saying, “It’s hard to play against them, but I liked the match up. And it’s just unfortunate that one play kinda sets the team on the low and then it’s hard to fight back.”
With the Red Bulls coming in next week can New England refresh themselves for a victory? Or will their morale be untouched and set the tone for their next match at home against the New York Red Bulls (April 20, @ 7:30 PM).
NE Revolution
Atlanta United FC
