Revs' attack has been downright offensive lately

August 4th at Orlando — that’s the last time a Revolution player that’s not primarily a defender has scored a goal for New England. In that match, striker Teal Bunbury and wingers Juan Agudelo and Cristian Penilla each tallied a goal for the visitors in their 3-3 draw with Orlando City.

Granted, anyone on the pitch can put the ball in the net, but some more than others are charged with that task as a first priority. New England’s high-pressing style brings even those deep in the backfield further up the field to get involved in the attack, especially the outside backs.

However, the wingers, the center forward, and the central attacking midfielder are all supposed to create and/or finish chances. In the Revs’ case, that responsibility falls on the shoulders of Diego Fagundez (especially if he’s playing as the No. 10) and the aforementioned three other players.

Up to and including the Orlando match, that quartet had scored 29 of New England’s 36 goals on the season. Since then, the Revs have only notched three goals, and those have been scored by players in defensive-oriented positions (defensive midfielders Wilfried Zahibo and Scott Caldwell and right back Andrew Farrell). Manager Brad Friedel has even tried other options at playmaker recently, namely Kelyn Rowe and Luis Caicedo, to no avail.

While New England’s defending has improved somewhat over the past month — with the exception of set pieces — the Revs have struggled in the attack. New England has only scored twelve goals in their last ten matches, and just six in their last five. Meanwhile, they’ve allowed nineteen goals in their last ten (nine from set pieces) and ten in their last five (six from set pieces).

Zero goals from Bunbury, Penilla, Agudelo, and Fagundez in the last four weeks is a huge reason New England — now sitting in 8th place in the East — is currently on the outside of the playoff window looking in.