Gil ready to drive the Revs
East finalists start new season tonight in Chicago
Midfielder Carles Gil enjoys freedom of movement in the New England Revolution’s disciplined formations.
The 5-foot-7-inch, 145pound, dynamo from Valencia, Spain, is a playmaker and finisher in the Revolution’s evolving schemes instituted by sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena in the preseason.
Gil will have both aspects of his game on display when the Revolution open the 2021 MLS season against the Chicago Fire tonight (8:30 p.m.) at Soldier Field.
Gill is likely to start at right midfield as part of the structural makeover Arena introduced during the team’s preseason friendlies against the L.A. Galaxy and LAFC in California. Gil will cover a lot of ground in the attacking zone to generate scoring opportunities against the Fire.
“In my case, both at the right and inside are two positions that I feel comfortable with,” said Gil. “Bruce gives me the freedom and the liberty to be where I am most comfortable at both right and center and the No. 10. I feel comfortable with that.”
Arena employed a 4-2-3-1 scheme in last season’s abbreviated schedule, a system that became increasing effective down the stretch and into the MLS playoffs. Arena switched to a 4-4-2 scheme in the preseason with Gustavo Bou joining Adam Buksa up top.
If Arena uses the same sets he displayed on the West Coast, the Revolution will have Gil, Maciel, Matt Polster and Tajon Buchanan lined up across the midfield.
The backend will consist of Andrew Farrell and Henry Kessler in the middle with Brandon Bye and DeJuan Jones on the flanks. Matt Turner, who was awarded his first cap with the U.S. men’s national team during the winter, will be the goalkeeper.
The Revs off-season international acquisitions Wilfrid Kaptoum (central midfield), Christian Mafla (left back) and Arnor Traustason (winger) could find their way into the starting lineup.
“It is a system that we were playing last year at times variably with Bruce,” said Gil. “We played different formations but I now feel comfortable with it (4-4-2) because each player knows his role both in the attacking end and defensively.
“We tried multiple formations but this is the one we all feel comfortable with.”
Gil had to make up for lost time in his job as a rainmaker for Bou and Buksa at the end of last season. Gil damaged his left Achilles tendon in July during the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fla.
Gil returned to Spain and underwent successful surgery on Aug. 5 and returned to the pitch on Oct. 23 in a 1-1 draw at Nashville. Gil appeared in six regular season games with four starts and became fully acclimated in the MLS Cup playoffs.
“He is an outstanding player and we all saw the impact on our team when he returned and the success we had in the playoffs,” said Arena. “Hopefully he can stay healthy and he’s looked good in preseason.”
The Revs opened the MLS playoffs with a 2-1 victory over Montreal. They followed it up with a 2-0 win over Philadelphia, which won the MLS Supporter’s Shield for the best record in the regular season. They then knocked off Orlando City 3-1 before falling to Columbus 1-0 in the Eastern Conference final. The Crew went on to win the MLS Cup.
“Overall, we felt disappointed with last year and we felt we didn’t put or best foot forward in the Eastern Conference final,” said Turner. “That was a game we could have very easily won and that’s something we want to put to bed.
“This is a team than can compete for trophies and our fans want trophies. We want to be the ones that deliver those trophies.”