It’s June and by now, the tulips have died while most other gardenia has started to flower and bear fruit. When it comes to Major League Soccer around this time of year, the New England Revolution are like the tulips.
A stunning, eight-game unbeaten run in the heart of April and May has been followed up with a devastating and quite unremarkable six-game winless streak. Much like the timetable for blooming flowers—whether they be annuals or perennials—the Revolution are right on schedule.
They are certainly not evergreen. Under Jay Heaps, the Revolution have become relatively easy to predict. With just about half of the season gone, they’ve eerily mirrored what they did last season en route to an MLS Cup final appearance. This includes starting the season off with two losses and a tie before winning in game four, and, more importantly, a spring fling of consistent, positive results that became a summer slump of eight straight losses.
That the Revolution are so bi-polar is inexcusable, especially this year. They have the benefit of knowing they’re a capable team, largely still intact from last year’s Cup run. Sure, injuries have taken their toll—losing Jermaine Jones certainly doesn’t help—but the Revolution have never had this much depth.
It’s not even a question of the team’s defense, which hasn’t shutout a team since a 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake on April 25. That said, on individual plays, there have been lapses. Markers have remained free to go at goal from both inside and outside the box. But that’s an issue of focus and technique, one that is fixable.
The real issue is that the Revolution’s mentality to incessantly create chances and dominate the attack is stalling.
Prior to last weekend’s 2-0 loss to the Portland Timbers, the Revolution took the lead in five consecutive games only to give up their advantage and later lose lose or tie. That’s not like the Revolution under Jay Heaps. He’s the one who has preached a possession-oriented attacking style that’s dynamic and fun to watch from the start of his tenure. And, after not making the playoffs in his first year and lots of experimentation, he delivered on what he promised by teaching his team the proper way to play.
That creative, multi-faceted attack has become the Revolution’s identity. But the last month and a half has yielded a Revolution team that has lost its most defining characteristic. It’s not something that hinges on one player like Jones, or on last year’s MVP candidate, Lee Nguyen, or on the mistakes of any player on the back line—injuries will occur, form will drop and mistakes are inevitable. But it is a matter of choosing to build on leads rather than protecting them.
Note that the Revolution’s eight-game unbeaten run earlier this season included five games that were won via multi-goal performances.
If the Revolution have forgotten how good they are then they might want to watch the highlights of their first playoff game last year against the Columbus Crew and the second leg of the Eastern Conference Final versus the New York Red Bulls. In both of those games, the Revolution took the lead only to be hit back by their opponents. But rather than regress like a turtle does into its shell, the Revolution fired back and responded with goals.
That’s how champions play. And, with some luck and a little remembering, the Revolution’s identity will be restored and their form will be blooming again.
If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
New England Revolution
