Revolution need to tighten up on defense
The New England Revolution have lost their way on the back end.
The Revolution have transitioned from one of the tightest and most disciplined back lines in MLS to a porous patchwork that has caused a precipitous slide in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Revolution (7-3-5) will play the final match in a stretch of three games in eight days when they take on Gotham rival New York City FC (4-7-4) on Saturday (3:30) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
The Revolution had allowed just nine goals in the first 11 games that included a 4-0 loss at reigning MLS champion Los Angeles FC on March 12. That setback was offset by five clean sheets that had Revolution keeper Djordje Petrovic on the early short list for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
Injuries to key starters, center back Henry Kessler and right back Brandon Bye, combined with plain old fashioned bad luck brought an end to the Revolution’s lock on first place in the Eastern Conference.
Things began to go south with 2-1 setback at Inter Miami
on May 13 and a 3-0 blowout loss the following weekend at Philadelphia. The Revolution gave up early leads in back-to-back 3-3 draws at home against the Chicago Fire FC and at Atlanta United.
“It has not been good, our defending has to be better,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “We have made some glaring mistakes in previous games and there were some unlucky situations that led to a couple of goals.
“Those things happen but we just have to defend better, no question about it.”
The draw with Chicago included an own goal that went off the leg of center back Andrew Farrell while Carles Gil’s tally in stoppage time salvaged the tie in Atlanta. The Revolution have given up 11 goals in the last four games while their goals per game average has swelled to 1.33.
“It has not been really stellar on the defensive side for us,” said midfielder Matt Polster. “I think it will take a group effort defending and setting things right.
“We just have to limit mistakes and defending the box and make sure we are winning more one-onone battles. We have to limit mistakes across the pitch and make sure we are there to help each other. We have to help each other in our defensive responsibilities.”
Arena is a native New Yorker, but the reincarnation of the House That Ruth Built is his least favorite stop on the MLS tour. To top it all off, Arena particularly dislikes afternoon games.
“They have got an experienced team, good midfield players and Yankee Stadium is always a difficult venue to play in,” said Arena.
Transforming a baseball diamond into a soccer pitch creates dimensional challenges and tighter quarters for visiting players.
“It is definitely different from other stadiums across the league,” said Polster. “Obviously it is a baseball diamond so the angles of the field are a little bit off.
“But we can’t make any excuses, we’ve played there plenty of times and plenty of guys have played in that environment. We have to make sure to get that out of our heads and focus on the game at hand and get three points.”