The Bent Musket - Revolution 0-2 Red Bulls: Full Coverage StoryStreamFor the Fort, By the Forthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31882/bentmusket-fave.jpg2014-06-11T17:00:05-04:00http://www.thebentmusket.com/rss/stream/55548492014-06-11T17:00:05-04:002014-06-11T17:00:05-04:00Revs 0-2 Red Bulls: Player Ratings and MotM
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<figcaption>David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Revolution lost a match they will feel they should have won on Sunday afternoon to the Red Bulls. Steve, Corey, and Nick contributed ratings to assess the performance of each Revs' player on the day.</p> <p><u><span>Bobby Shuttleworth</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>3.17</b> (Steve 3, Corey 3.5, Nick 3)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> You faced two shots, you let in two goals. Luyindula's shot may have been a rip and a half, but I don't care what Dorman says, that first goal is on you man...<i>Corey:</i> Simply put: It's Brad's turn after the break...<i> Nick:</i> If you come off your line in that spot, you have to come away with the ball--or parry the corner to safety. Bobby did neither, and his performance suffered as a result.</p>
<p><u><span>Chris Tierney</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>6.17</b> (Steve 6, Corey 6, Nick 6.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Misplaced one pass all night. That, plus reasonable defense and that rocket near-goal earns you a six in my book...<i>Corey:</i> A much improved game from Tierney compared to his below average performance the week before. A force in the attack all game...<i>Nick:</i> The left back looked electric when joining the attack, and stung a few dangerous shots on frame. Successful distribution helped create several goal-scoring opportunities. </p>
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<a href="http://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/8/5792002/revolution-vs-red-bulls-2014-recap-loss-bobby-shuttleworth-peguy-luyindula-eric-alexander">
<h2>Revs Drop Points to New York</h2>
<img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34085753/20140608_krj_sx4_0038.JPG.0_standard_783.0.jpg"> </a> <span>New England's normally-lethal finishing was a real letdown as they lost 2-0 to the Red Bulls at home.</span>
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<p><u><span>A.J. Soares</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>6.5</b> (Steve 6, Corey 6.5, Nick 7)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> He was solid and blameless on the goals. Uncharacteristically good in passing, though he did launch a few infuriating long balls to no one. Recoveries everywhere, too...<i>Corey:</i> Kept it locked down for the most part and adapted well to the Revs' odd 2nd-half formation/tactics...<i>Nick:</i> Overall strong performance from the underappreciated CB. An outstanding passing night and tough, physical defending benefitted the Revs all night long.</p>
<p><u><span>Jose Goncalves</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>7</b> (Steve 6.5, Corey 7, Nick 7.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> 92% passing on the evening, and he put it together with strong tackling, typically good positioning, and aerial dominance. It feels weird to rate a defender this high in a two-goal loss, but he's deserving...<i>Corey:</i> Had a nice outing but I still wonder how much that "leadership factor" is still there with him...<i>Nick:</i> Thought JoGo distributed well and manned the center of the park with typical physicality. Looked particularly sharp in the air, too, especially in the late stages.</p>
<p><u><span>Andrew Farrell</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>6.33</b> (Steve 5.5, Corey 7, Nick 6.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Pretty good passing night with some great defensive numbers, but let's be honest. He attempted no crosses as a right back. He should have put away that scoring opportunity, or at least not stuffed it into Robles' shirt. And he probably needed to close down Luyindula on the second goal...<i>Corey:</i> Farrell was a beast, particularly on defense. On the attack, however, he continues to fall a bit short - the final product is not quite there...<i>Nick:</i> Brilliant defending shut down several dangerous moments, but I can't help feel as though he gave Luyindula too much space on the Bull's second tally.</p>
<p><u><span>Andy Dorman</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>5.17</b> (Steve 5, Corey 5, Nick 5.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Dorms was careful with the ball but he was unusually quiet defensively and in the tackle. Also, he may be somewhat at fault, along with Farrell, for Luyindula's goal...<i>Corey:</i> This may have been Dorman's worst game all season. Mental lapses stifled his production as the pivotal midfield cog that he needs to be...<i>Nick:</i> Held up the middle with incredible strength, but Sunday's match further exposed AD's greatest flaw: slow decision making. On multiple accounts, Dorman failed to see the necessary pass, slowing down the Revs attack.</p>
<p><u><span>Lee Nguyen</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>6.83</b> (Steve 6.5, Corey 7, Nick 7)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Lee was at the center of literally everything good the Revs did. He passed well, created something like five or six clear goalscoring chances, and terrorized the Red Bulls defense. But, for the first time since he joined the Revs, he was too selfish in the final third...<i>Corey:</i> Looked sharp for the most part, but not quite enough in the final third...<i>Nick:</i> Creativity in the early goings nearly helped the Revs bag a goal. He seemed to run out of ideas, though, despite serving as the match's most dangerous player. May have benefitted from a little more generosity in the attacking third.</p>
<p><u><span>Daigo Kobayashi</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>7.17</b> (Steve 6, Corey 8, Nick 7.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Daigo had a great match all around. Clean passing and heavy involvement in the final third were highlights...<i>Corey:</i> A hugely important switch that needed to be made after that Montreal game. The team looks so much more in-sync with him on the pitch...<i>Nick:</i> Quietly turned in one of his best performances in navy and red. Superb passing night (94%) added a needed spark to the Revs attack.</p>
<p><u><span>Diego Fagundez</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>6.5</b> (Steve 6, Corey 7, Nick 6.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Everywhere but on the scoresheet. His shot near the end of the first half off the woodwork was magical, and he was on target twice, but again, couldn't beat Robles. He's clearly feeling it right now but that didn't matter on the evening...<i>Corey:</i> What a world of a difference it makes when Fagundez is involved throughout the match. His performance should have been rewarded with a goal...<i>Nick:</i> Crafty evening from start to finish, but in the end, just couldn't find anybody but Robles. Had several key passes moving forward--and nearly finished a wondergoal in the first half.</p>
<p><u><span>Teal Bunbury</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>5.17</b> (Steve 5, Corey 4.5, Nick 6)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Had to feel for the guy, he was wide open throughout the first half on the right and no one wanted to pass to him. Still put two on target, but whiffing on a couple crosses was the more egregious offense. Also didn't pass all that great and continues to showcase a surprisingly poor first touch...<i>Corey:</i> For all the plaudits he's gained in the month of May, he's just simply not clinical in front of goal and that really hurt the Revs in the late stages of this one...<i>Nick:</i> Threatened from minute 1 through minute 90, but needed to leave Sunday's match with a goal. Too many opportunities to come up empty, especially on the bounding ball in front of an unmanned goal.</p>
<p><u><span>Patrick Mullins</span></u>: Average Rating - <b>5</b> (Steve 5, Corey 5, Nick 5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> He wasn't as effective as in previous appearances, but his effort and physical presence was still beneficial, and he was shooting. Thought his "tactical" substitution was a mistake...<i>Corey:</i> Not his best night. Link-up play with the midfield just wasn't really there...<i>Nick:</i> Torched a shot on frame in the opening moments and then disappeared. Poor distribution, combined with unenthused hold-up play, led to a short evening.</p>
<p><u><span>Kelyn Rowe</span></u> (sub): Average Rating - <b>6.33</b> (Steve 6, Corey 7, Nick 6)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> I didn't like his deployment strategy, but he was a clean-passing dynamo in the attack and demonstrated a little of the old Kelyn we saw all through 2013...<i>Corey:</i> THAT's the Rowe I wanted to see. Added so much to the attack in the second half. He put it all out there...<i>Nick:</i> Entered the second frame and immediately added much-needed energy. Hit four shots, including one on frame, in an abbreviated showing.</p>
<p><u><span>Steve Neumann</span></u> (sub): Average Rating - <b>4.5</b> (Steve 5, Corey 4, Nick 4.5)</p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Again, nary a misplaced pass to be found, but this time he didn't really add anything the game desperately needed. He also didn't take anything away, though...<i>Corey:</i> Didn't add much and I would have preferred to see Heaps bring on a striker instead...<i>Nick:</i> Quiet performance for the rook', despite earning 20 minutes off the bench. More or less a nonfactor during a match where his creativity was desperately needed.</p>
<p><u><span>Saer Sene</span></u> (sub): Average Rating - <b>N/A</b></p>
<p><i>Steve:</i> Limited time. Looked careful with the ball, which is a good thing...<i>Corey:</i> Underwhelming to say the least. Would have preferred to see Davies or Imbongo try their hand in the same situation...<i>Nick:</i> Limited opportunity to make a difference, but inserted a little flair in the waning moments.</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/11/5800580/revolution-vs-red-bulls-2014-player-ratings-daigo-kobayashi-jose-goncalves-lee-nguyenSteve Stoehr2014-06-09T09:54:23-04:002014-06-09T09:54:23-04:00Revs 0-2 Red Bulls: Highlights and Quotes
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<figcaption>Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Revs lost to the Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon in a game they really should have won. Watch the highlights and get the postmatch quotes.</p> <p><strong>JAY HEAPS</strong></p>
<p>Obviously, a disappointing result. We weren't thrilled with how it went down tonight and it's a tough result at home.</p>
<p>I'm going to look at the film, I think it was probably not finishing our chances, but I need to go back and look at it. I don't know the exact stats, but I don't think they had a ton (of chances). Two set piece goals. We had chances to score goals and we didn't.</p>
<p>I don't think it was about effort or energy tonight. I think it was a little bit about the final ball, the class inside the area. We had two or three balls go across, we had shooting go right at their goal keeper. Look, we weren't good enough and we've got to get better.</p>
<p>I think the (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a>) break is a weird one because it's not really a break because we have <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/british-open">the Open</a> Cup. Yeah, we wanted to go out and finish our chances better tonight. Look, we could have scored in the first 30 seconds of that game, we could have scored at various times during the game. I just thought we let ourselves down. The movement wasn't as good as I wanted it to be and I think the guys will tell you that. I didn't like the fact that the last game was Saturday and we had to wait until Sunday to play. I feel like we were really chomping at the bit and to the point where maybe, we tried to overdo things today a little bit. With that said, when you go into a break, I think you have to collect and look at what you did well and what you didn't do so well. I think we've been streaky. Let's be honest, we've won games and we've lost and we've got to find a way to balance that out a little bit better.</p>
<p>I thought (<span>Saer Sene</span>) did a good job. He went in there and he's returning back to training, he had some personal issues that he was dealing with and came back in and has been working hard to get back in. I thought he had a great week of training the last couple of weeks and I thought he handled it well tonight. I thought he was dangerous tonight.</p>
<p>The thinking (behind starting Diago Kobayashi over <span>Kelyn Rowe</span>) is that we have competition, but last week's decision was different than this week's decision. Last week I felt Diago, he was limited in training all week, so I thought going on the road would be a good game to get Kelyn into. Tonight was getting back to really trying to see where we were at best. I thought Diago and Kelyn both did a nice job tonight, Kelyn coming in a little different position, I thought he was good out there.</p>
<p><strong>DIEGO FAGUNDEZ</strong></p>
<p>It wasn't our night. We fought, we tried to do everything we could. Hit the post, a couple of just good chances in the six and we just couldn't finish.</p>
<p>I was just trying to get on my right foot and try to hit, take a shot, take one around him and try to take a shot and hit the post. I thought it was going to come back and hit the goalie in the head and go in, but it didn't go out that way. We were unlucky but we just have to keep our heads up and know that this break is going to be tough for us, but, when we come back we have to start where we were.</p>
<p>We just had to fix a couple things at halftime. At the end of the day it was those things, little stuff that on the six we need to finish. We just weren't good enough.</p>
<p>... (<span>Jay Heaps</span>) put Kelyn (Rowe) in so we can maybe get some crosses in and we tried to do that. We just couldn't finish any chances.</p>
<p>No, I think it's, we should be everything the same, every player who fits in that role knows how to play that role. Me as a right mid or left mid, I just have to keep following and do my job and try to help out them as much as possible.</p>
<p>We just need to relax and make sure that we ... our batteries are charged. So when we come back we're going to be going at full speed. I think it's going to be tough for everyone like I said, but we have to make sure we're focused and make sure we take this time off serious.</p>
<p>It's tough. We want everyone to come in here and think that it's going to be a hard game. And that's what we tried and first loss but we can't do anything about that. Now we have to look forward to the next games.</p>
<p><strong>ANDY DORMAN</strong></p>
<p>It's one of those days where we didn't take our chances and we gave up two poor goals from set pieces. I think second half, we came off well and created chances and needed a goal. I think if we got a goal we could have gone on and win the game. It didn't happen and they took their chances well and won.</p>
<p>When the goal happened, I moved back to try to get out of Bobby's (Shuttleworth) way and I ended up getting in his way. I take responsibility for that. I'm not 100 percent sure if he was going to come out for the ball but when I moved back I ended up in his way and killed all his momentum when he was coming out for the cross.</p>
<p>It's disappointing to leave this game this way, especially being at home and with the break coming up. We were looking to sign off on a positive note especially with the break coming up.</p>
<p><strong>RED BULLS HEAD COACH MIKE PETKE</strong></p>
<p>I'm extremely proud of my guys. I told them before the game that there were going to be periods tonight that were not going to be pretty and that I'm absolutely fine with that as long as they put the work in and play for each other. That's all I wanted, to be honest with you, at the end of the day. I was here the last time we won 10 years ago. I played in that game, so I am extremely proud of them tonight.</p>
<p>This year I thought this was possibly going to be our most difficult game up here - not only were we without players, but they're a damn good team and they move the ball well. We had a lot of concerns about winning this game, to be honest with you, I don't know why it's so difficult to come up here and play. But they got it done tonight, so I am very proud of them.</p>
<p>Luis (Robles), like he has all year, has made some key saves for us 100 percent. Obviously I am a little concerned with how we gave up some of the opportunities we did, but it's a great feeling to know you have someone back there who, 9 out of10 times, feels like he is going to make those saves,</p>
<p>I easily could have put (Ibhabim) Sekagya in the back there, he's experienced. But there comes a point, and we had a feeling about (Chris) Duvall a couple of weeks ago, and we put him in and he's done very well with it. We said that, you know what, maybe this is a game for Matt Miazga perhaps - the moment is going to be so grand for him that he's not going to feel the pressure as a young guy. I think Matt did very well in his debut tonight and I am very proud of him.</p>
<p>I was very positive about our set pieces today. We worked on set pieces and we talked a lot about it over the last couples of weeks and it's good to see it come together tonight. I thought we could have had two or three goals in open play as well, but New England could have had a handful, three, four, five, as well. It was a very good back and forth game, but at the end of the day, we held on. Perhaps they were a bit unlucky on one or two of them, but I think we were as well, so I am good with the result.</p>
<p>I challenged the guys beforehand, I really wanted them to have a chip on their shoulder. A lot of talk was made about the grass that was put down on Friday here - beautiful sod and the amount of money they paid for it, just to rip it up the next day when we were coming. I don't blame them at all. Honestly, I would do the same thing if they had an (Thierry) Henry and (Jamison) Olave that would miss it. So I thought about that, but what I challenged these guys, perhaps a little bit of gamesmanship on my part with them, but I said ‘this is what they think of you, you know, they're really focused on two guys who won't make it, and they don't think much of you.' By all means I'm not saying that that is the reason why we got the result, but I wanted them to have a chip on their shoulder about that, and perhaps they did a little bit.</p>
<p><strong>RED BULLS GOALKEEPER LUIS ROBLES</strong></p>
<p>New England's good. We read the scouting report; we knew they are a young dynamic team. They have some players who aren't afraid of taking the ball on. We knew we had to come in with all our effect to hang with them. We got lucky on the first goal which changed the completion of the game and we played solid defense. There weren't a lot of difficult saves; they were mostly routine because our guys put them in tough spots. I give tons of credit to the defense tonight.</p>
<p>Well lucky we didn't give Chris (Tierney) a lot of opportunities to cross it in. There was one shot where he knuckled it but I wasn't going to mess around with it and I popped it over the goal. Just going back to the scouting report we knew these guys were dangerous in several different ways; from crosses to set pieces. It's not just Chris (Tierney), but Lee (Nguyen) is so dangerous with his foot on set pieces but again our defense stood strong and we got the three points.</p>
<p>First thing is we have a great locker room. Losing four in a row you can start to point fingers at people, but that doesn't happen here. The guys are very positive, and everyone believes in each other. That's our belief we knew we could get three points this week and we did. We were lucky to get the first goal which put us in a great spot and we played well after.</p>
<p><strong>RED BULLS FORWARD PEGUY LUYINDULA</strong></p>
<p>It's a big thing (for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> to win a game before the World Cup break) because we didn't have a win since like, four or five games. Then to come back to win like this is a huge thing because we're going to have big break and then we can concentrate for next game to come.</p>
<p>It was amazing (having goalkeeper <span>Luis Robles</span> defend) like always. If he wouldn't be there, maybe we could have conceded this goal - we can't just put the head down. He did a great job.</p>
<p>It's a group - it's a group mentality, so when (<span>Thierry Henry</span>, Jámison Olave, <span>Dax McCarty</span>, <span>Roy Miller</span> and <span>Tim Cahill</span>) are not there, the guys who have to play have to step up on the field and that's what we did today.</p>
<p>(<span>Matt Miazga's</span> first career start) was amazing in the building process, in the defending. He was hard on the ball. He was aggressive. It was a huge first game.</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/9/5793116/revolution-vs-red-bulls-postmatch-quotes-full-highlights-diego-fagundez-luis-roblesSteve Stoehr2014-06-08T20:24:58-04:002014-06-08T20:24:58-04:00Finishing Betrays Revs in Loss to New York
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<figcaption>Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Revolution lost their first home match of the 2014 season, falling 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls. Going into the World Cup break, the Revs will have to reflect on their profligate finishing and mistakes in defending set pieces.</p> <p>Sunday afternoon was a beautiful, clear day, and Gillette Stadium packed in a season-best crowd of nearly 24,000 people, but the <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a> did not bring their "A" game. Instead, the Revs suffered their first home loss of the season, falling 2-0 to the <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a>.</p>
<p>In a match where the Revs outshot the Red Bulls 22-8, it was New York's two shots on goal that punished the wasteful home side. <span>Eric Alexander</span> capitalized on a first-half error from <span>Bobby Shuttleworth</span> and <span>Peguy Luyindula</span> took advantage of lax defending in the second to bury New England, earning their first win at Gillette Stadium since 2002.</p>
<p>"Obviously a disappointing result," said an understandably-taciturn <span>Jay Heaps</span> after the match. "We weren't thrilled with how it went down tonight. It's a tough result at home."</p>
<p>The Revs could have been on the score sheet inside the first minute. <span>Lee Nguyen</span> jetted down the right flank and played a lateral ball across the top of the box to <span>Patrick Mullins</span>, who lashed a left-footed shot that forced the first of <span>Luis Robles</span>' ten saves on the night.</p>
<p>New England continued to threaten from that point forward, but were undone when New York scored a somewhat-bizarre goal against the run of play. <span>Lloyd Sam</span> launched a free kick to the far post, and Shuttleworth came off of his line to collect it. The ball looked long for the keeper to begin with, but while in no-man's land he collided with <span>Andy Dorman</span>, leaving a wide-open goal for Eric Alexander to head the ball into.</p>
<p>Even after the goal, the Revs continued to dominate the run of play. They pushed through the first half with a series of dangerous-looking chances, testing Robles in the 22nd through a Nguyen shot. Two minutes later, <span>Chris Tierney</span> uncorked a laser from distance that Robles parried over the bar. Bunbury nearly blasted a close-range shot past Robles from a tight angle, but the New York ‘keeper was equal to it. Perhaps the Revs' best chance of the night came in 44th minute when <span>Diego Fagundez</span> collected the ball from Patrick Mullins at the top of the D and used his acceleration to dribble around the D and into the box, where he somehow bent around the ball to launch an effort for the far post that deflected back into the penalty area. An inch to the right, perhaps, and it would have been a goal.</p>
<p>In the second half, Heaps made a surprising move by pulling Mullins and inserting <span>Kelyn Rowe</span>, shifting <span>Teal Bunbury</span> to the center-forward spot. When asked about the substitution, Heaps described it only as "tactical."</p>
<p>In the ensuing 25 minutes, the Revs played pretty much the same way. They peppered the Red Bulls goal with chances, but most of them ended up straight at Robles. Andrew Farrell was one-on-one with the keeper in the 50th minute but somehow contrived to stuff the ball into Robles' chest, and just one minute later, Nguyen rolled a tame left-footed shot to Robles from inside the box after connecting with Rowe.</p>
<p>Rowe had a slow shot easily saved by Robles in the 70th minute. Ironically, perhaps the chance of the half for the Revs came from a Red Bulls player in the 71st minute, when <span>A.J. Soares</span> whiffed on a Tierney free kick and the ball spilled to <span>Ibrahim Sekagya</span> at the far post, who nearly put it past his own ‘keeper. Robles, again, was equal to it, making probably his most-acrobatic and impressive save of the evening.</p>
<p>New York sealed the deal with yet another set piece, this time taking advantage of slack defending rather than goalkeeper error or miscommunication. A free kick reached the top of the box, where it was nodded back out toward the midfield. Peguy Luyindula sized it up in acres of space, and with no one coming forward to close him down, ripped a half-volley that blasted past Shuttleworth and in.</p>
<p>The Revs' evening was summed up in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, when Kelyn Rowe had a free header that was going on-frame blocked in the box - by an offside <span>Saer Sene</span>.</p>
<p>When asked what the culprit was for tonight's loss, Heaps blamed the finishing.</p>
<p>"I think it was probably not finishing our chances, but I have to go back and look at it," he said. "I believe, I don't know the exact stats, but I don't think they had a ton [of chances]. Two set piece goals, and we had chances to score goals and we didn't."</p>
<p>Essentially, the Red Bulls turned the Revs' best game plans against them. New York broke out quickly on the counter and made the most of their chances. New England had the better possession (53%), were the more accurate passers (82.3% compared to 76.9%), and also put more efforts on target (9-2). Regardless, New York took the mistakes that the Revs gave them and rode those mistakes all the way to three points.</p>
<p>New England now goes into the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> break still in possession of first place in the East, but in a more precarious position. For Heaps, the break will be a chance to help his team find the balance they need to be a consistent force.</p>
<p>"When you go into a break, I think you have to collect and look at what you did well and what you didn't do so well," he said. "I think we've been streaky. Let's be honest, we've won games and we've lost and we've got to find a way to balance that out a little bit better."</p>
<p>New England has Open Cup action next on the docket, facing the Richmond Kickers in Richmond on June 18th.</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/8/5792002/revolution-vs-red-bulls-2014-recap-loss-bobby-shuttleworth-peguy-luyindula-eric-alexanderSteve Stoehr2014-06-08T17:05:25-04:002014-06-08T17:05:25-04:00Revs vs. Red Bulls: Lineups and Live Thread
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The New England Revolution face off against the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>It's another rivalry match for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a> tonight as they welcome the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> to Gillette Stadium for the last match either team will play before the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> break. The Revs will look to get back on track after their five-match winning streak came to an end last week in Montreal.</p>
<p>The lineup remains fairly constant, with two notable changes. For one, <span>Kelyn Rowe</span> has been relegated back to the bench after a tough match in Canada, making way for <span>Daigo Kobayashi</span>. Kobayashi was ever-present during the Revs' recent run, and his form and synergy with <span>Lee Nguyen</span> may be the driving force in the switch.</p>
<p>Also, <span>Saer Sene</span> is making his first appearance in the match day squad since his bizarre leave of absence in April. It's the first time his name has been on the team sheet in any capacity since April 19th.</p>
<p>Join us in the comments section and discuss the action as it unfolds!</p>
<p><u>Lineups</u></p>
<p><b>Revolution:</b> <span>Bobby Shuttleworth</span>; <span>Chris Tierney</span>, <span>Jose Goncalves</span>, <span>A.J. Soares</span>, <span>Andrew Farrell</span>; <span>Andy Dorman</span>; <span>Diego Fagundez</span>, Lee Nguyen, Daigo Kobayashi, <span>Teal Bunbury</span>; <span>Patrick Mullins</span></p>
<p><i>Bench: McCarthy, Sene, Knighton, Caldwell, Barnes, Neumann, Rowe</i></p>
<p><b>Red Bulls:</b> Robles; Kimura, Miazga, Armando, Duvall; Convey, Sekagya, Alexander, Sam; Luyindula, Wright-Phillips</p>
<p><i>Bench: Bitolo, Steele, Bover, Meara, Akpan, Lade, Eckersley</i></p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/8/5791534/revolution-vs-red-bulls-2014-lineups-live-thread-daigo-kobayashi-kelyn-rowe-saer-seneSteve Stoehr2014-06-08T12:00:06-04:002014-06-08T12:00:06-04:005 Questions Before Facing the Red Bulls
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<figcaption>Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Revolution will take on the Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon in their last match before the World Cup break. That will give Revs' fans two long weeks to agonize and analyze the first part of the season, including several questions like the following.</p> <p>MLS will soon break for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a>, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to talk about in terms of the <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a>. The team will be looking to rebound from their 2-0 loss to the <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> when they take the field on Sunday to face the <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a>. They will also begin <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf" class="sbn-auto-link">U.S. Open</a> Cup play soon, traveling to Richmond, VA to face the Kickers. And let's not forget that their franchise player recently graduated high school.</p>
<p>With so much to think about, I present a random collection of questions that have passed through my mind during the last week.</p>
<p><b>Is there such a thing as a "trap game" with <span>Jay Heaps</span> at the helm?</b> Looking back on post-game interviews, Heaps has consistency downplayed major results and refused to look too far into the future. The coach has taken a "one game at a time" approach to the season, never underestimating an opponent. Surely Heaps has long-term plans, but I don't believe he looks past an opponent. The Revolution have had bad games, but I wouldn't call them trap games.</p>
<p><b>What if the Revolution loaned fringe players to the Rochester Rhinos to play in their <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-tennis" class="sbn-auto-link">US Open</a> Cup game against DC United?</b> I'm thinking that players like <span>Shalrie Joseph</span>, <span>O'Brian Woodbine</span> or <span>Dimitry Imbongo</span> could help the Rhinos beat DC. This would set-up a fifth round showdown between the Revs and their USL-Pro affiliate. The loaned players would be cup-tied to the Rhinos, but I would hope that Revs would recall the loanees. This may be a devious way of trying to earn a cup, but I wouldn't mind it.</p>
<p><b>What if <span>Diego Fagundez</span> was offered the "Julian Green Proposal?"</b> Green hasn't shown much at the international or club level, which has led to speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann gave the German-American a roster spot with an eye on the future. Fagundez, also 19 years old, has been sensational recently. The high school graduate led the Revs in goals last year with 13, and was named as a Player of the Month nominee for last month after finishing with four goals and three assists. The future is bright for Fagundez and Uruguay could have locked him up by offering a ticket to Brazil. But would he have taken it?</p>
<p><b>Was the decision to play on turf instead of grass the smartest coaching choice Jay Heaps could have made ahead of their game against the New York Red Bulls?</b> Although the Revs recently upgraded their playing surface, the mere mention of turf downgrades star forward <span>Thierry Henry</span> and defensive stalwart <span>Jamison Olave</span> to questionable. Furthermore, the Revolution players know the intricacies of playing at Gillette Stadium. If you don't believe me, look at Chris Tierney's looping pass from the May 24<sup>th</sup> game against DC United. The Revs will surely be working hard on the practice field and in the video room, but the smartest coaching decision might have already have been made.</p>
<p><b>Is the positional battle between <span>Kelyn Rowe</span> and <span>Daigo Kobayashi</span> too close to call?</b> I like Rowe. His ability to shot from deep and make threatening runs through the midfield makes him a game-changer. I like Kobayashi. He keeps possession well with his short passes, but he can also hit the slicing ball that leads to a goal. In my mind, Kobayashi deserves the starting spot with Rowe coming off the bench.</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/commentary/2014/6/8/5790770/revolution-vs-red-bulls-2014-questions-trap-game-diego-fagundez-kelyn-rowe-daigo-kobayashiSteve Stoehr2014-06-07T09:00:03-04:002014-06-07T09:00:03-04:00Revs vs. Red Bulls: Know Thy Enemy
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Revs and the Red Bulls are squaring off on Sunday. We spoke with Jason Iapicco to get a handle on them.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a> welcome the <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> to Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon in their last match before the MLS <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> break. We spoke with Jason Iapicco of Once a Metro to learn more about the 2014 Red Bulls. Check out their page for <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/2014/6/7/5787162/new-york-red-bull-new-england-revolution-preview-questions" target="_blank">Steve's answers to Jason's questions</a> about the match.</p>
<p><b>TBM: The Red Bulls are not off to the most auspicious start to their Supporters' Shield defense. What's different?</b></p>
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<p>JI: The biggest difference for the Red Bulls from last year is the defense. <span>Jamison Olave</span> & <span>Markus Holgersson</span> were the perfect combination for center backs, Olave the enforcer, Holgersson the finesse guy. With Holgersson gone, Olave hasn't been able to build the same rapport with Armando & <span>Ibrahim Sekagya</span>. Additionally, <span>Kosuke Kimura</span> hasn't done at right back this year. In front of them, Dex McCarty was a rock on 2013, but this year he's had back problems flare up, and is now going into surgery for a knee injury.</p>
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<p><b>TBM: Three wins is disappointing, but it seems like the Red Bulls can't do anything but draw these days. It's partly what has them in a position to still make a push into the top 5, but also has something to do with why they aren't there in the first place. Do you see the draws as positives or negatives?</b></p>
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<p>JI: It depends on the game. Coming back against <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> for the draw was a huge positive, especially since it came on the back of a three game losing streak.On the flip side, in the beginning of the year, New York gave up draws to teams like Colorado and Chivas after taking a lead. The only consistent part of the Red Bulls in 2014 is how inconsistent they are.</p>
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<p><b>TBM: What on Earth is going on with <span>Bradley Wright-Phillips</span>???</b></p>
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<p>JI: If there was a movie made about his 2014 season so far, it's "How Wright-Phillips Got His Groove Back". To borrow a cliche, he's been an absolute revelation this year. He's a target forward, and that's exactly what this team has been missing. <span>Fabian Espindola</span> was supposed to be that, but he never built the chemistry with Thierry Henry. Somehow, Wright-Phillips and Henry just have it. If you look at the 11 goals BWP has scored this year, Henry has been involved in most of them, even if he doesn't get credit for an assist.</p>
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<p><b>TBM: Give us an under-the-radar player that Revs fans should watch out for in this match.</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>JI: <span>Chris Duvall</span> was drafted by the Red Bulls with the 22nd pick in the 2014 draft. Up until May 17th, he hadn't played a single minute, since then, he has played two and a half straight straight games. He came on for Kosuke Kimura after a terrible first half against Toronto. It may only be two games so far, but he's proving that he deserves to be the starting right back, especially with the up and down performances by Kimura dating back to last year.</p>
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<p><b>TBM: Finally, let's have your projected starting XI and a scoreline prediction.</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>JI: Starting XI: <span>Luis Robles</span>; Chris Duvall, Armando, Ibrahim Sekagya, <span>Bobby Convey</span>; <span>Lloyd Sam</span>, <span>Peguy Luyindula</span>, <span>Eric Alexander</span>, <span>Ruben Bover</span>; Bradley Wright-Phillips, <span>Andre Akpan</span></p>
<p>Scoreline: New England 2-0 New York. New York will be missing two players to the World Cup (<span>Tim Cahill</span>, <span>Roy Miller</span>), two to turf (Henry, Olave), and Dax to injuries. I'm counting this as a throwaway and hope some of the young guys will get decent playing time.</p>
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https://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/7/5787184/revolution-vs-red-bulls-2014-preview-questions-thierry-henry-chris-duvall-jamison-olaveSteve Stoehr2014-06-06T12:00:07-04:002014-06-06T12:00:07-04:00The Revs Get a Postgame Radio Show
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<figcaption>David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Tom Quinlan of New England Soccer Weekly and The Q Spot Podcast is going big-time by hosting a regular Revolution post-match radio show on 1510 AM Yahoo! Sports. This marks an important step up in Revs matchday coverage.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a> announced yesterday that they have partnered with 1510 AM Yahoo! Sports to put together a postmatch radio show that will debut on Saturday night at 7 PM after the match against the <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a>. Tom Quinlan, who hosts New England Soccer Weekly and The Q Spot Podcast on 1510 AM already, will be the front man for the new program.</p>
<p>"We here at 1510 are looking forward to a long lasting relationship with the Revs and pumped to have a partnership with such a great organization," 1510 AM Yahoo! Sports Radio general manager Anthony Pepe said. "We're happy to give New England soccer fans a radio voice that the passionate fan base deserves."</p>
<p>Both of Quinlan's programs feature a variety of New England soccer analysts and experts as guests on the show, and some help as contributors. The Bent Musket's own Seth Macomber has featured on The Q Spot, and several friends of TBM from other websites have appeared as well.</p>
<p>"I am thrilled to be hosting the Revolutions post game show," host Tom Quinlan said. "It‘s been an exhilarating season so far, and we look forward to sharing that excitement with the fans on the program"</p>
<p>Some people have criticized Tom in the past for being too rosy in his outlook, or not critical enough of the organization and the front office, but nevertheless he's been putting in good work trying to produce high-profile radio content with a wide reach. The establishment of a dedicated postgame show is an important step forward and should be welcomed.</p>
<p>"We're excited that our relationship with 1510 AM has grown so quickly and so successfully," Revolution president Brian Bilello said. "Our fans have shown they enjoy the dedicated soccer programming and are excited about the station's strong interest in the team. The Saturday show and the podcasts have become destination listening for them. We're looking forward to the expanded partnership with the postgame shows and helping to provide our fans another outlet for quality soccer commentary and analysis."</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, you can listen to this show on 1510 AM.</p>
https://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/6/6/5785754/revolution-partner-1510-am-yahoo-sports-postgame-radio-show-tom-quinlanSteve Stoehr