Photo/Kari Heistad
NE Revs 2 : 2 LA Galaxy
by Julian Cardillo, Gillette Stadium
Sunday night’s 2-2 decision between the New England Revolution and the Los Angeles Galaxy seemed more than fair, especially since both sides didn’t look like they wanted to be anywhere near a soccer field. A cold, rainy atmosphere provided a drab backdrop for what was actually one of the most anticipated games of the season. But the re-match of last December’s MLS Cup, while including a first half that was jam-packed with four wonder goals, left much to be desired from both teams.
It also left much to be desired for Revolution coach Jay Heaps, who was irate that his team blew the lead for the fifth straight time and settled for a draw. During the post-game press conference, Heaps credited Teal Bunbury and Diego Fagundez for their goals, but seemed unforgivingly angry that his team switched off and allowed the visitors to score twice in a row.
Building off that, here are some thoughts on the Revolution’s performance:
Revolution crumble after taking early lead, again
There were signs that the Revolution were going to squander points when Charlie Davies lofted an effort off a breakaway just 30 seconds into the game. He should have, in truth, done better with that chance. But Bunbury made good on the miss by opening the scoring in the fifth minute off a nifty play created by Scott Caldwell and Juan Agudelo. What happened next was puzzling.
How is it that a team that seems to go 100 mph all the time takes its foot off the gas long enough for opponents to retake control and capitalize? The Revolution that held off the New York Red Bulls and rocked Real Salt Lake is there, somewhere, though the real question is when we’ll see them again. Take nothing away from the individual skill involved in both of the Galaxy’s goals. But in speaking with Jose Goncalves after the game in the locker room—and taking Heaps’ criticisms to heart—the real issue for the Revolution is that they allowed the Galaxy’s players the opportunity to show what they can do.
Jones day ended in injury sadly
Jermaine Jones situation one to closely monitor
The Revolution announced on Monday morning that Jones would not travel with the U.S. national team for friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany after exiting Sunday night’s game with a left groin strain.
That means Jones is likely out for the Revolution’s next game at Portland, too. Jones is no stranger to groin strains: he sat out the first few games of this season to recover from a sports hernia surgery near his groin last winter. It’s not a stretch, therefore, to say that he may have re-aggravated an old injury.
Losing Jones, for however long, will obviously affect the Revolution. Look no further than his soccer DNA as a German-born player. It is in Germany where no lead is ever safe and where teams can never score enough goals. Jones is a leader and a difference maker on the Revolution, but his biggest attribute right now might be his mentality to push forward and get his team more goals. That’s an attitude that stumbling Revs need now more than ever.
Fagundez with a slick finish
A perfectly placed free kick made the difference as the Revolution dug out of a 2-1 hole and settled for one point at home. Had Chris Tierney, Lee Nguyen, or Kelyn Rowe been on the field there’s no way Fagundez would have taken that freekick (personally I was surprised that Andy Dorman didn’t take it).
That Fagundez spent the week practicing dead ball situations made all the difference. He got the ball up and over the wall, past an outstretched Jaime Penedo for a memorable first goal of the season. The finish was a reminder of just how good Fagundez is; he has such a raw talent, even if sometimes he goes through long spells without realizing it.
Try this on for size: that was the first free kick he’s taken in a competitive setting since his Academy days. While his contributions in the run of play could have been a little better, getting a goal under his belt ought to at least give him some confidence going forward. And on a team that’s recently hit a slump and is calling for players to step up, Fagundez at least deserves a shot to show what he’s got.
Additional notes:
- The Revolution didn’t look that different without Nguyen on the field, who was serving a one-game suspension. With Jones out for at least next week and probably longer, the onus is on Nguyen to come out of his funk and show the same sort of contributions that made him an MVP candidate last year.
- Though Kevin Alston had a decent performance and put in a few good crosses, the game was crying out for Tierney, who was also suspended, especially with London Woodberry neutralized on the other side of the field.
- Sunday night was probably the first time in Gillette Stadium history that every goal scored was Goal of the Week worthy. Shout out to Scott Caldwell, Juan Agudelo, Jose Villareal and Ignacio Maganto for pure class to set up their teammates.
- Despite the draw, the Revolution remains unbeaten in re-matches of MLS Cup losses. They beat the Galaxy in May of ‘03 after losing to them in the ’02 final and again in April of ’06 after losing to them in the ’05 final. The Revolution also beat Houston in ’07 following the ’06 Cup loss and in the ’08 opener after the ’07 Cup loss.
- Daigo Kobayashi and Andy Dorman’s midfield play saved the Revolution on Sunday night. Both were instrumental off the bench.
- There really was no surprise in Juan Agudelo and Jermaine Jones earning national team call-ups. Agudelo has been in terrific form while Jones is the kind of veteran presence Jurgen Klinsmann likes to have around his younger players.
- Jose Goncalves speaks Italian proficiently. He learned while playing in Venice back in ’05 and from speaking with former Italian national team midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who was a player-coach with FC Sion in Switzerland when Goncalves was there. JoGo is looking forward to righting the ship versus Portland, but agrees that the long flight to Oregon can be taxing.
Related:
Zardes finally finds the back net for Galaxy
NE Revolution 2 : 2 LA Galaxy Photo Gallery
Galaxy the great unpredictables? Surely not
Fagundez’ free kick rescues Revolution
If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
