Scoreless in Seattle – New England Earn an L for their Efforts in the Northwest
After bouncing back from a colossal crushing 5-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew with a 2-1 win over Atlanta United Wednesday night, the Revolution ended a busy week with a scoreless night in Seattle, losing 2-0 to the Sounders. An expected, but still disappointing result. Expected due to our vast injury list we have had the unfortunate pleasure of touting all season long, with a revolving door of names comes and going. As one key player returns, another takes his place on the ever so popular New England injury list.
The result was yet still disappointing because the players who did show up to play, really did, in fact, show up to play. With a youthful midfield of Jack Panayatou (20 years old), Esmir Bajraktarevic (19 years old), and Noel Buck (19 years old), there was much to be happy about from the great play of this bunch. Esmir looked really strong, attacking the Seattle defensive and creating offensive opportunities. Having a chance to play central with Carles Gil out with an injury, he had a chance to strive in a new position where he looks strong, attacking center backs and distributing to Vrioni and others to create many scoring chances. Jack Panayatou looked confident on the ball, turning into space and advancing up the field when he had the opportunity. Noel Buck had a solid game, distributing the ball and helping create some offensive chances. This is all great to see.
It was an interesting game coming into it. Two teams that played below expectations to start the season who have been coming into form as of late. The Revs and Sounders hadn’t matched up since back in 2019. Brandon Bye got his first start of the 2024 season in his fourth appearance thus far since returning from his injury. Jack Panayatou gained the starting role for the first time as apparently Borrero picked up a quad injury in warmups. The Revs were so injured coming into today they had to sign a Revs II players to a short-term contract, giving Marcos Dias his MLS debut tonight (he ended up subbing in for Noel buck in the 87th minute, getting his first minutes for the first team).
Dave Romney was back in the lineup tonight over Henry Kessler. He started 4 straight matches after taking the role from Kessler when he had picked up a suspension for Yellow Card Accumulation. Once the win streak ended against the Crew, Kessler returned to his starting role over Romney. This week, it seems to be more squad rotation than anything, as the Revs played on Wednesday making it three games this week. That being said, the Romney and Kessler saga at Center back will be an interesting one moving forward. It is also nice having a few strong players there for rotation purposes or injuries. In fact, Arreaga picked up his 5th yellow card and will be suspended in the next game against Orlando for Yellow Card Accumulation. Speaking of Arreaga, the last interesting piece of this matchup was Arreaga’s return to Seattle. He received a warm reception. He was a best XI player in the 2022 Concacaf Championship run for the Seattle Sounders.
For long periods of time Saturday night, the Revolution were the better team on the field. Controlling possession, working the ball out from the back calmly despite pressure from Seattle (one play comes to mind where Arreaga held onto it for what seemed way too long, cutting back and forth at our own 18-yard box but ended up playing a big ball across the field and spawned a counterattack). Vrioni had a number of opportunities but unfortunately could not finish and continue his hot streak (I believe 5 goals in 4 games coming into tonight, or maybe 4 goals in 5 games… idk). Esmir did a wonderful job setting him up a few times. I remember one play first half Esmir broke directly through two Seattle defenders and fed Vrioni who got a shot opportunity. Or the flurry of shots Esmir and Vrioni had that somehow Seattle’s goalie kept out of the net early in the game. Honestly, Seattle can thank their goalie for that win because they could have easily been down a goal or two in the first half if it wasn’t for him.
Unfortunately, though, despite playing great for long periods, it was another night where the Revs were asleep the first 25 minutes or so. And again, the Revs were asleep in the 70th minute. This feels like a pattern, especially in away games. Come out slow, then dominate from the 30th to the 65th minute. Then die out and let up a late goal. I commented in the Revs Reddit at halftime… ‘Not dead at all. Gotta come out and get a goal early second half. Don’t let this lead linger and all of a sudden find ourselves down 2-0…” Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. The Revs needed an early second half goal after their many late first half chances, nevertheless, the Revs and scoring a goal were the same side of two magnets, a force unable to be reconciled.
One thing I’ve noticed is the Revolution do not look strong when defending in transition. When the opposing team is counter attacking with speed I’m always nervous. Granted, counter attacking opportunities are the highest expected goal I believe besides penalty kicks, so makes sense that defending them would be difficult. I get memories of I think against the Red Bulls right? Lewis Morgan having a similar breakaway goal early in the game? I believe he did if my memory serves me right. Barreling down field early in the match, no chance for our center backs to keep up, and no chance for Ivacic to make a save. Makes me think of, was it against Philly? When Spaulding picked up the early Red Card taking the man down on a break? Or what game was that? I don’t know. Today’s blog is pure vibes, sans research. Another early breakaway that put that Revs at a disadvantage. Every time Seattle countered yesterday it was nerve wracking. Jones had one nice defensive play deflecting a through ball with his back heel early in the game, but again, could have easily been another opportunity for Seattle if not for a tiny touch of the ball in desperation by Jones.
POSITIVES:
Great production from youth players, particular Esmir Bajraktarevic. Great to see him take a step forward with his game and step up with Carles Gil out of the lineup. The confidence on the ball from Esmir I feel has grown leaps and bounds from the beginning of the season. He has really come into form. I can imagine having Carles Gil out allows him to loosen up a bit and play more like himself and confident, rather than always having Carles has a good option to defer to. Star players like Carles are indispensable for a team like New England but can also tie them into a particular mode of play, working through their star at all times.
Vrioni continues to increase his quality game to game, unfortunately unable to net a goal though. He had a few good chances, and played strong in the middle of the field, receiving passes, competing for balls, holding up and allowing our team to get up field in transition. Still not the strongest on the ball in possession but can’t complain much about his play this game. Refs hate Vrioni because he’s a big boy. I don’t think he will ever get a penalty call. Granted, the play he went down in the box today was very soft and not worthy, but often times I feel MLS refs are quick to point to the spot. Not for Vrioni. Caleb Porter has commented in press conferences last month that maybe our luck will turn, get some calls. A lot of have things have turned the Revs way as of late with their winning form, but a penalty kick for the boys has yet to come. Maybe we will get some luck with that soon. A nice gimme goal last night would have been nice to get back in the game.
NEGATIVES:
The Revolution have a pattern of taking 25 minutes to wake up and settle into away games. Granted, we’ve been on a 5 or so game streak, including the loss against the Crew, where the Revolution were the first team to score. So, this is something we have improved upon as of late. Back in May though like in games against the Chicago Fire, we have had a tendency to come into away games sleepy, and wake up 30 minutes in. Tending to dominate going into the end of the first half, but whether or not we finish on our chances or just look dangerous typically decides our fate for the game. It was too easy to see that once we didn’t score in the first half of the Sounders game, it was going to be very easy for us to let our chances to draw or win slip away. And that is what happened, waiting too long to equalize, and the Sounders scoring the 81st minute dagger goal to end all hope.
What does the future hold?
The Revolution play a hot Orlando City team who is coming into form. Underachieving to begin the season, Duncan McGuire and Orlando have been coming into form and come into the game against the Revolution having just beaten DC United a whopping 5-0. In a weekend full of big scores, 4-0 Columbus over Toronto, 6-1 Cincinnati over Miami, 5-2 RSL over Atlanta, 5-0 Orlando over DC United stands with those as an overwhelming win. Orlando will be travelling with momentum as they come to Foxboro July 13th. The Revolution will be without Xavier Arreaga at Center Back for the first time since joining the team due to yellow card accumulation suspension. It will be interesting to see how the Revolution lineup looks, considering all the injuries listed above and a suspension, who knows who will be available and take the field. Regardless, as shown against Seattle, despite our top guys out the Revs are able to play well. Finishing opportunities when they present themselves is tantamount to this team’s success. I’m not sure I used the word tantamount right. Finishing our chances is the hinge this team sits upon of whether they lean to win or loss. The chances are there. FINISH THEM!! Expected goals against Seattle was SEA 1.2 and NE .9, but reality was 2-0 Seattle. The Revs left chances on the board and Seattle took advantage of theirs.
The Rev’s season is very much alive. Continuing to get better seemingly game after game, if this team can stay healthy and keep themselves in contention, anything is possible. Well, maybe not anything, because a 5-1 Crew loss is indicative to the fact that maybe we aren’t quite at that level. There are times though we have shown we can hit that level for windows of time. Getting the right guys on the field for an extended period could change the trajectory of this season. Time to get fit, get healthy, and keep stacking points wherever we can.
