New England Revolution heart again Dave Romney has run the gambit of extracurricular tournaments throughout his 10 MLS seasons.
Romney will make his eighth Concacaf Champions Cup look when the Revolution host leg one in every of their Round of 16 conflict with two-time winner LD Alajuelense on Wednesday (6 p.m.) at Gillette Stadium.
The second match will happen on March 14 at Estadio Alejandro Morea Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Romney will probably be making his third Champions Cup begin with New England. His earlier 5 appearances have been with the LA Galaxy.
“It is always fun to play teams and guys from other countries,” mentioned Romney. “Culturally it’s a cool factor and I’m positive they find it irresistible as properly and also you all the time love to check your self towards one of the best in different leagues.
“I always take it as a way to kind of compete and see where we stand in the rest of our Concacaf region. I always love it. I can’t say if everyone feels the same but I think it is a fun test and a fun competition for sure.”
The Revolution and LDA performed within the 2003 and 2006 Champions Cup Tournaments with the La Liga Los Leones, holding a 2-1-1 lead within the collection. LDA will probably be making its first look in New England because the earlier 4 engagements have been held at impartial websites.
The Revolution superior to the Round of 16 with an mixture rating of 4-0 in its dwelling and residential opening spherical collection towards Panamanian contender CA Independiente. Revolution goalkeeper Henrich Ravas recorded a clear sheet in each contests.
While the Revolution have loved early success within the Champions Cup, it has not carried over to the MLS aspect of the slate. The Revolution are 0-2 in league play after Sunday’s dispiriting 1-0 loss to resurgent Toronto FC within the dwelling opener.
Juggling a busy interwoven schedule of Champions Cup and MLS video games to start out the season has examined the managerial abilities of Revolution first-year head coach Caleb Porter. The Revolution will play eight video games in 26 days, a grueling endeavor for gamers who’re nonetheless discovering their soccer legs. The Revolution resume MLS play on Saturday evening (7:30) at Atlanta United FC.
“It is extremely difficult because you are not conditioned to do it,” mentioned Porter. “This sport isn’t made to be performed each two or three days like we’re doing, however particularly if you find yourself not conditioned early within the yr to do it.
“I am really proud of the guys that they have been grinding. Mentally and physically, it is a grind and we have to keep grinding. We have got to stay mentally strong and keep our energy up and that is what we are going to do.”
Porter has been by way of the method throughout his earlier MLS tenures with the Portland Timbers and the Columbus Crew. The reward for profitable the Concacaf match is well worth the effort. The winner of the Champions Cup qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup towards profitable groups from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.
Porter is aware of from expertise that LD Alajuelense is a large step up in school for CA Independiente and that the Revolution are at a aggressive drawback enjoying leg two in Costa Rica.
“They put the advantage at being home for the second leg because you know what to do,” mentioned Porter. “It is actually necessary to us on this first leg to arrange ourselves up for the second half of the collection and put ourselves in a great spot within the mixture.
“When you go from the Panamanian to the Costa Rica team the level goes higher and they have more quality. They have bigger budgets and more talent and they have a lot of internationals on their team.”
Revolution striker Giacomo Vrioni picked up a yellow card within the second sport towards CA Independiente and is ineligible to compete within the subsequent match.
Source: www.bostonherald.com