Photo: Kari Heistad
By Julian Cardillo
Against an FC Tuscon side that had nothing to lose and everything to gain, the New England Revolution came up with the expected win, emerging victorious, 3-0, in their final preseason game.
The Revolution controlled the brunt of the possession and had more of the attacking play, with goals from Teal Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe and Sean Okoli serving as the difference.
The win gives the Revolution (3-2-1 in preseason) some positive momentum ahead of next Sunday’s season opener at Seattle.
Here are some takeaways from the game and preseason in general:
- The Revolution started the game with their expected starting XI for next Sunday, with Juan Agudelo edging out Charlie Davies for a spot on the team sheet.
- Curiously, Diego Fagundez was not a starter even though he’s expected to be Agudelo’s best partner in the attack.
- Even without Jermaine Jones, the Revolution continue to do okay with maintaining possession and playing on both sides of the ball.
- The rock in the middle is clearly Caldwell: he played well with both Daigo Kobayashi and Andy Dorman as his partner in midfield.
- Agudelo looks extra sharp—fitness wise and tactically—and looks like better than his old self.
- That said, Okoli looks like he can be a real threat off the bench.
- The Revolution announced the signings of Tyler Rudy and London Woodberry earlier on Saturday, two transactions which add depth.
- But Woodberry, who played half of the second half, looked quite effective on the right flank. He will add some nice competition on that flank.
- Despite the competition for playing time and the talent on this squad, the Revolution could take a while to gel as a team since they’re still missing Jones and Lee Nguyen.
- It will also be interesting to see how they acclimate to training on their home turf, especially since the weather is still so cold and there is so much snow on the ground. If New England weather maintains the status quo, the Dana Farber field house could be the Revolution’s best and only option for training once the season starts. How will that affect them?
- The Revolution are heading into Seattle with momentum, though the Sounders are one of the league’s best teams and have arguably the hardest venue for away teams. If the Revolution can take a positive result from opening night, it will surely be a sign of good things to come.
