Decision Day for the New England Revolution can be waged on two fronts with dwelling discipline in spherical one of many Audi MLS Cup Playoffs within the Eastern Conference nonetheless undecided.
The Revolution (14-9-10) are in a must-win state of affairs once they host the third-place Philadelphia Union (15-8-10) on Saturday evening (6) at Gillette Stadium. A victory would additionally lock up a berth within the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup event.
The Revolution are in fifth place with 52 factors, two behind the Columbus Crew and three behind the Union. Columbus (15-9-9) closes out the season at dwelling towards eighth-place Montreal (12-16-5), which is on the playoff bubble and has an incentive to win.
A New England win mixed with a Columbus loss would go away the Revolution in fourth place with dwelling discipline in one of the best of three Round One sequence.
If the Revolution beat Philadelphia by three objectives, they’d win the tiebreaker with the Union. If the Crew draw with Montreal, they’d win the primary tiebreaker (objective differential) with the Revolution.
The Revolution put themselves on this quandary by going 1-4-3 since Labor Day weekend underneath interim head coaches Richie Williams and Clint Peay. The Revolution have misplaced three straight one-goal video games since beating Charlotte FC 2-1 on Sept. 30.
“Obviously, it is an important match for us as it relates to how we finish in the standings,” stated Peay. “We need to be sure we are able to get the three factors and safe one of the best place attainable for the playoffs.
“If things really go our way, we can end up in third and get home field advantage. That is our objective and our focus going into the match.”
Philadelphia has as a lot driving on the end result because the Revolution. Laying a three-goal beatdown on the Union can be a frightening endeavor even within the pleasant confines of Gillette Stadium, the place the Revolution are 11-1-4 this season. Complicating the matter is the climate. The sport can be performed in a raging coastal storm that ought to have an effect on circumstances on the pitch and attendance.
The Union and the Revolution have each scored 56 objectives in 33 video games, however Philly has allowed six fewer with a objective differential of plus 17. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake, who performed collegiately at UConn, has logged 2,283 minutes with 12 wins, 70 saves, eight clear sheets and a 1.02 objectives towards common.
“I think first and foremost it has to be defensively,” stated Peay. “We must be sound defensively and we’ve to point out that we are able to restrict alternatives in transition, restrict alternatives in transition and hold a clear sheet.
“You have to give yourself a chance to be able to win a game by not conceding a lousy goal. When putting a full game together on both sides of the ball we are hard to play against and we pose challenges for the opponent.”
The Revolution’s scoring during the last 5 video games has been generated primarily by midfielder and group MVP Carles Gil and newcomer Tomas Chancalay, who has supplanted Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood as one of the best striker choice.
Gil is tied for third in MLS with 14 assists and he leads the membership 11 objectives. Since making his MLS debut on Aug. 26, Chancalay has scored 10 objectives on 36 pictures, with 4 tallies within the final 5 video games.
“He has been a big spark for us with his aggressive play,” stated Peay. “He can play with the ball and without the ball and obviously our biggest goal scorer in the last few games for us.”
Peay stated untested keeper Jacob Jackson will begin in web towards the Union over veteran Earl Edwards Jr. Jackson made his MLS debut in a 3-2 loss at Nashville on Oct. 14 when
he held up underneath NSC’s relentless assault.
“We will continue with Jacob Jackson on the weekend,” stated Peay. “I think he has done well for us and I think Jacob has earned the right to be back on the field.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com