The New England Revolution travel to Vancouver to play the Whitecaps. Photo/Kari Heistad
Making a trans-continental journey to British Columbia for a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday evening is a less than ideal prospect for the New England Revolution at the moment.
The Revs, who have yet to win a road matches this season, played eight of their starters in a 1-0 extra time victory over the Carolina RailHawks in a US Open Cup game on Wednesday night.
A 3,007-mile journey from the American south to BC Place – where the Revolution have never won and the hosts have lost just once in 2016 – is not exactly a budding proposition.
That said, matches in Vancouver are never want for goals and excitement. The Revs scored a stoppage time goal and three players were ejected when the teams first met there, a 1-1 draw on April 27, 2011. And, back in 2014, Vancouver turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 win.
Revolution are regaining their fitness
For the first time in almost two months, the Revs’ injury table is looking short. Chris Tierney seems to have rebounded smoothly from a pesky hamstring strain earlier this spring, and made an appearance of the bench in the Revs’ win against Carolina. Tierney’s golden left foot has been a remarkable catalyst for New England. But, will Tierney get to be a catalyst if his side don’t win the possession battle?
Gershon Koffie, the heir to Jermaine Jones in the center of the pitch, is still out with a knee sprain. Though the Revs attack is stacked, they’ll be without Charlie Davies, who is still injured. Meanwhile, Diego Fagundez, Lee Nguyen, and Kelyn Rowe will all likely feature. The onus will be on them to work with Scott Caldwell and help defend in addition to creating chances.
Will Kei Kamara score?
The Revolution spent heaven and earth to sign Kamara from Columbus. But, Kamara has yet to showcase his true scoring touch. Kamara also made an appearance off the bench against Carolina, but seemed to be forcing things whenever he got forward. Though Kamara had five goals with the Crew this season – but has curiously been absent from the score sheet since his eyebrow-raising transfer.
Containing Pedro Morales
The Revolution’s toughest task on Saturday evening will be limiting Pedro Morales.
In fact, Morales is the rock at the tip of Vancouver’s attacking spear. He has scored six goals this season, and has also provided three assists. Beyond that, the Whitecaps have managed to score in all of their home games this season, while the Revs have the second-worst defensive record in MLS.
Email Julian at julianccardillo@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
