Bou, Buksa spell double trouble for Orlando City
New England Revolution strikers Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa employ contrasting methodologies for scoring goals but the scheme is broad enough to accommodate both of them.
Bou and Buksa are the most effective scoring tandem in MLS and will be situated at the point of attack when the Revolution (184-5) host Orlando City SC (10-7-8) on Saturday night (7) at Gillette Stadium. Bou leads the team with 12 goals and four assists followed by Buksa with 11 goals and two assists. Both players are in the top 10 in MLS for goals scored.
“It’s done in a combination of ways and I think Adam scores his goals a little different than Gustavo,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “I think Adam gets goals on set pieces and obviously on running plays as well.
“Gustavo get his goals generally on running plays so that is a little bit different. Although they have scored in double digits, we have a lot of players who have scored goals this year. They have come in different ways from different players and all of that.”
The Revolution have the best record in MLS and with seven games remaining are in a favorable position to secure the first Supporters’ Shield in club history. Bou was the Revolution’s go-to guy in the first half of the season while Buksa’s contributions have been more recent.
Buksa has scored seven goals in the last 13 league games and he potted four for the Polish national team in three caps during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in early September.
Buksa has built his MLS portfolio for delivering on set pieces, which are generally directed his way by Carles Gil, the premier playmaker in the league with 16 assists. Buksa is 6-foot-3 with an astounding vertical leap, physical traits that make him easy to locate in the scoring area on free and corner kicks.
Buksa leads MLS with 37 headed shots, 14 more than his nearest competitor. He is first in duels won with 157 and second in aerials won with 93. Those lofty numbers brand Buksa as the league’s dominant player in the air.
“There are always some situations where we can be better at, but overall we understand each other very well and have throughout the season,” said Buksa. “I see with the goals we score how many players are involved in the goals and that is great obviously.”