Once more, Stade Saputo will be the scene this Saturday at 5:30pm as the Impact goes for three points against the New England Revolution (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know ahead of this first game between the two teams this season.
Context
After a tough start to the season – only one win in 11 –, the Revolution has won three of its last five MLS games. This form coincides with the arrival of Kei Kamara, although he has yet to score or deliver an assist. Saturday’s game will be the last of five straight road games. Jay Heaps’ men got off to a good start in Carolina with a 1-0 win in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup, followed by a 2-1 win at Vancouver. They’ve just dropped a 2-0 decision at D.C. United in MLS, but the Cup was good to them again on Wednesday night as a Teal Bunbury brace and Kamara’s first goal with the Revs lifted them to a 3-2 win at New York Cosmos.
Current form (MLS)
L-W-L-W-W-L
Head coach
Jay Heaps (58-58-36 all-time as New England Revolution head coach) became Revs head coach on November 15, 2011. An elite player in the college ranks in the 1990s, Heaps was the Miami Fusion’s first pick (second overall) in the 1999 MLS College Draft. Named Rookie of the Year after his first season, Heaps was then traded to the New England Revolution, his hometown club, in June 2001. Heaps became one of the top MLS defenders but never could translate his individual prowess into collective glory as he was part of the cursed generation that reached four MLS Cups in six years but was unable to win the trophy. Heaps and the Revs did win silverware, though, lifting the U.S. Open Cup in 2007 and the short-lived SuperLiga in 2008. He retired at the end of the 2009 season with several club records to his name. Inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011, Heaps then took charge of the Revolution with a view on making it a thrilling, ball-playing team.
Current top scorer
Lee Nguyen (4)
Players to watch
1. Chris Tierney (#8) – An attack-minded left back, Tierney is a handful on set pieces and delivers a good cross – which could come in even handier now that Kei Kamara is part of the Revs.
2. Scott Caldwell (#6) – His work rate makes him useful to the Revolution’s pressing when the team tries to push the opponent wide.
3. Kelyn Rowe (#11) – Versatile and responsible, Rowe is constantly on the lookout for space and can adapt to all situations.
Team profile
The Revolution wants to take the game to the opposition and has what it takes: full back that contribute, central mids that provide options, a handful of attacking midfielders whose heads and legs are quick, and a forward that weighs on the backline and can connect on crosses. Tierney, Bunbury, Fagundez and Rowe can float in good balls for Kamara – and the Revolution can be dangerous by switching the point of attack, particularly from left to right. Down the middle, Kamara’s presence can create space for his colleagues to change the pace of an attacking sequence and play the ball in behind. But with a rather high block, defensive transitions can be a problem, and the Revolution can struggle with fast play and with crosses. If the opponent let the Revs reorganize, however, the Revs can soak up pressure with two banks of four and Nguyen/Kamara leading the pressing but not over-committing. Set plays can hurt them, too – but the Revs score from set plays at just about the same rate as they concede from them.
Tactical formation
Jay Heaps mostly goes for 4-2-3-1. Lineup v. D.C. United (June 25): Knighton; Farrell, Woodberry, Gonçalves, Tierney; Caldwell, Kobayashi; Bunbury, Nguyen, Rowe; Kamara.
Against the Impact last season
The Impact didn’t lose in three games against the Revolution last season. The first game, on March 21, was a 0-0 tie that fans will mostly remember for the devastating injury that Cameron Porter sustained in the first half. Montreal then won 3-0 at Stade Saputo on September 19, snapping an eight-game streak without a loss for the Revs. Then, on October 17, in front of the largest home crowd in Revs history, the Impact won 1-0 on a goal for the ages by Ignacio Piatti, sending Montreal through to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Three games, three clean sheets.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of June 30)
D Donnie Smith (hamstring)
M Gershon Koffie (knee)
F Charlie Davies (adductor)
F Femi Hollinger-Janzen (hamstring)
Next games
New England Revolution v. New York City FC (MLS, July 6)
New England Revolution v. Columbus Crew SC (MLS, July 9)
Real Salt Lake v. New England Revolution (MLS, July 16)
