SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Steve Stoehr

Revolution vs. Toronto 2013: Full Match Coverage

2013-05-24T18:05:51Z

The Revolution will take on Toronto FC on Saturday night in Foxboro. TFC's had a rough go of it so far in 2013, but in the last few years, the Revs have struggled to beat them.

If ever there was a game that the New England Revolution should win but always seem to mess up one way or another, it's probably any match played against Toronto FC. The Reds have been a terrible team in MLS since their inception (despite setting early benchmarks in supporter culture), and yet New England hasn't been able to beat them since 2010, and the all-time series between the two comes out nearly even at 4-3-6.

Despite TFC's awful record, they aren't completely without bite. Robert Earnshaw is a quality striker, Luis Silva is an electric young player, and there's some youth and unpredictability in that roster that could worry any team. They've certainly scored more goals than the Revs, although they've conceded plenty more, as well.

Today's Q&A is with Duncan Fletcher of Waking The Red, SB Nation's TFC Blog.

TBM: One win in eleven games played is certainly not the glorious start to a new era TFC fans might have been hoping for. What's been going wrong for this club in the first part of the season, and do you think it's possible for the Reds to settle the ship in 2013?

DF: It's less than ideal, that's for sure, and the way we've got here has really made things worse. Going into the season no-one was expecting great things, but the first few games, TFC looked competitive and got a win and a few ties in what was a very tough schedule, so I think people began to think that this season wasn't going to be all that bad, and it seems that Kevin Payne and Ryan Nelsen bought into that. When results stopped going our way, they seemed to abandon the long term plan and have been making all sorts of new signings, with new lineups being sent out game after game, adding instability into the mix of a new team trying to get its feet under it.

There have been two main problems on the pitch. First up is a lack of creativity, leading to a lack of good goalscoring opportunities. Robert Earnshaw had a very hot streak to start the season which masked the issue, but that ended and Earnshaw is looking more and more frustrated at the lack of service, and all the long balls he's forced to battle for. The other problem has been late goals conceded, a perennial TFC issue that has actually got worse this season. The main reason for that is a style that gives possession away again and again and invites more and more pressure, so some goals will be inevitable. Add onto that a series of individual mistakes that have also led to goals and it's clear there's a fully grown mental block developed.

Can they settle the ship? A few weeks back I'd have confidently said yes, but right now it seems like management is floundering, trying to find a quick fix, in 'flinging shit at the wall to see what sticks' mode. It might work, and you'd think eventually they'd find a reliable first team, but it looks like it's going to take a long long time.

TBM: Ryan Nelsen is the new manager du jour up there, and his appointment was a bit odd, if I remember correctly. He was hired while still playing for QPR and arrived late. How much do you think the current club woes have to do with the irregularities of Nelsen's appointment, and how much of it is just him? Or is he really to blame at all?

DF: It was a very bizarre press conference, but really imagine if they'd announced "He's got a job to do in Europe right now and he won't be here until he's done that, but the next TFC manager will be.....Jose Mourinho!" No-one would have been concerned at all, so it comes down to 'if he's the right man, he's worth waiting for'. Though his absence didn't end up being that long, TFC were once again in the position of signing players right before the season started, with new players being brought in throughout the first few months, giving it all a bit of a preseason feeling, so I'd say it was definitely a factor.

Is Nelsen the right man though? That remains to be seen. The early returns were good as TFC looked a lot more organised than in previous years, as if the foundation they talked about building was actually taking place, though work obviously needed doing in building the quality of the squad. April and May have been rough months though, so there's plenty of room for doubt, but blame could be placed just as much on Kevin Payne whose personnel decisions so far can definitely be called into question.

TBM: Robert Earnshaw was a bit of a revelation in the early going this season, though it feels like he's been stuck on five goals for like two months. What does he bring that has allowed him to score those goals, and how much more potent do you think the offense could be if he's given a chance to pair up with nearly-healthy Danny Koevermans?

DF: Earnshaw is a very opportunistic player who's always able to use his smarts and his speed to pounce on anything the defence might give him, whether an errant backpass or a lazy offside trap. In march, he was absolutely lethal as well, converting almost all the good chances that came his way. That's gone away in the last month or so, with shots finding the post or goalie, or with him not really making a good connection. In Colorado he missed 3 good chances, and we went on to lose 1-0. That's the main thing that's caused the recent losing streak as TFC aren't good enough, don't create enough chances for the strikers to be merely average.

In the last game, Earnshaw seemed determined to get his touch back, often trying to do it all himself rather than pass to a teammate, a worrying development.

If and when Koevermans is back and back to full fitness, they should prove a very interesting partnership, both are more poachers, clinical finishers, than creators, so Toronto will still be at the mercy of the midfield. Koevermans should at least help with TFC's predeliction for the long ball, he'll have more of a chance against the physical centre backs, so that at the very least will help Earnshaw, as will the extra bit of space that he should get form defenders having to pay attention to Koevermans as well.

TBM: Give us an under-the-radar player Revolution fans should watch out for in this match.

DF: Hopefully that will be Jeremy Brockie. A New Zealand international signed recently on loan until the start of the A-League season. It's difficult to say that though as he's had just one sub appearance so far last week, where he wasn't particularly noticeable, though he played and scored in a reserve game afterwards.

Another option is Reggie Lambe. Paul Mariner, a poor manager but a world class quote machine, called him a one in sixer, and it's been a while since he's had a good game, he's due his one in six. When he does play well on the wing (which one? Your guess is as good as mine, there's very little consistency to the lineup) he's a dangerous player, with more of an eye for goal than most of our midfielders.

TBM: Finally, let's have your projected starting XI and a scoreline prediction.

DF: Tweets from training told of a long list of injured, ill or not quite fit enough to be risked on turf players, so more than likely we'll see a team very similar to what played last week. I'll go with Joe Bendik in goal. In defence from right to left, Ryan Richter, Steven Caldwell, Doneil Henry, and Darren O'Dea. In midfield, there'll be Jeremy Hall and Matías Laba sitting deep with Reggie Lambe and Luis Silva playing further up, and with Robert earnshaw and Jeremy Brockie up front. Brockie and Silva might end up swapped in that lineup. Predicted score: It's got low scoring written all over it. I'll go 1-0 Revs, with a late winner from, why not, Chad Barrett.

Revolution vs. Toronto 2013: Know Thy Enemy

2013-05-24T16:14:59Z

Today's Q&A is with Duncan Fletcher of Waking The Red, SB Nation's TFC Blog.

DF: It's less than ideal, that's for sure, and the way we've got here has really made things worse. Going into the season no-one was expecting great things, but the first few games, TFC looked competitive and got a win and a few ties in what was a very tough schedule, so I think people began to think that this season wasn't going to be all that bad, and it seems that Kevin Payne and Ryan Nelsen bought into that. When results stopped going our way, they seemed to abandon the long term plan and have been making all sorts of new signings, with new lineups being sent out game after game, adding instability into the mix of a new team trying to get its feet under it.

There have been two main problems on the pitch. First up is a lack of creativity, leading to a lack of good goalscoring opportunities. Robert Earnshaw had a very hot streak to start the season which masked the issue, but that ended and Earnshaw is looking more and more frustrated at the lack of service, and all the long balls he's forced to battle for. The other problem has been late goals conceded, a perennial TFC issue that has actually got worse this season. The main reason for that is a style that gives possession away again and again and invites more and more pressure, so some goals will be inevitable. Add onto that a series of individual mistakes that have also led to goals and it's clear there's a fully grown mental block developed.

Can they settle the ship? A few weeks back I'd have confidently said yes, but right now it seems like management is floundering, trying to find a quick fix, in 'flinging shit at the wall to see what sticks' mode. It might work, and you'd think eventually they'd find a reliable first team, but it looks like it's going to take a long long time.

DF: It was a very bizarre press conference, but really imagine if they'd announced "He's got a job to do in Europe right now and he won't be here until he's done that, but the next TFC manager will be.....Jose Mourinho!" No-one would have been concerned at all, so it comes down to 'if he's the right man, he's worth waiting for'. Though his absence didn't end up being that long, TFC were once again in the position of signing players right before the season started, with new players being brought in throughout the first few months, giving it all a bit of a preseason feeling, so I'd say it was definitely a factor.

Is Nelsen the right man though? That remains to be seen. The early returns were good as TFC looked a lot more organised than in previous years, as if the foundation they talked about building was actually taking place, though work obviously needed doing in building the quality of the squad. April and May have been rough months though, so there's plenty of room for doubt, but blame could be placed just as much on Kevin Payne whose personnel decisions so far can definitely be called into question.

DF: Earnshaw is a very opportunistic player who's always able to use his smarts and his speed to pounce on anything the defence might give him, whether an errant backpass or a lazy offside trap. In march, he was absolutely lethal as well, converting almost all the good chances that came his way. That's gone away in the last month or so, with shots finding the post or goalie, or with him not really making a good connection. In Colorado he missed 3 good chances, and we went on to lose 1-0. That's the main thing that's caused the recent losing streak as TFC aren't good enough, don't create enough chances for the strikers to be merely average.

In the last game, Earnshaw seemed determined to get his touch back, often trying to do it all himself rather than pass to a teammate, a worrying development.

If and when Koevermans is back and back to full fitness, they should prove a very interesting partnership, both are more poachers, clinical finishers, than creators, so Toronto will still be at the mercy of the midfield. Koevermans should at least help with TFC's predeliction for the long ball, he'll have more of a chance against the physical centre backs, so that at the very least will help Earnshaw, as will the extra bit of space that he should get form defenders having to pay attention to Koevermans as well.

TBM: Give us an under-the-radar player Revolution fans should watch out for in this match.

DF: Hopefully that will be Jeremy Brockie. A New Zealand international signed recently on loan until the start of the A-League season. It's difficult to say that though as he's had just one sub appearance so far last week, where he wasn't particularly noticeable, though he played and scored in a reserve game afterwards.

Another option is Reggie Lambe. Paul Mariner, a poor manager but a world class quote machine, called him a one in sixer, and it's been a while since he's had a good game, he's due his one in six. When he does play well on the wing (which one? Your guess is as good as mine, there's very little consistency to the lineup) he's a dangerous player, with more of an eye for goal than most of our midfielders.

TBM: Finally, let's have your projected starting XI and a scoreline prediction.

DF: Tweets from training told of a long list of injured, ill or not quite fit enough to be risked on turf players, so more than likely we'll see a team very similar to what played last week. I'll go with Joe Bendik in goal. In defence from right to left, Ryan Richter, Steven Caldwell, Doneil Henry, and Darren O'Dea. In midfield, there'll be Jeremy Hall and Matías Laba sitting deep with Reggie Lambe and Luis Silva playing further up, and with Robert earnshaw and Jeremy Brockie up front. Brockie and Silva might end up swapped in that lineup. Predicted score: It's got low scoring written all over it. I'll go 1-0 Revs, with a late winner from, why not, Chad Barrett.

The Bent Musket Friday Open Thread: TGIF, Amirite?

2013-05-24T14:51:10Z

Happy Friday, folks. Big game tomorrow, and I'm feeling like the result will be a barometer for how far this team really has come. TFC's a team the Revolution should beat, but the team historically has not beaten those teams in the last few years.

And then, of course, there was the Bruins missing the chance at the sweep last night. Very, very disappointing performance from Tuuka. I still think they'll pull it off this weekend in Boston, but the sweep would have been nice.

All right, then. Talk amongst yourselves. And remember, you can talk about anything, not just the stuff I just mentioned.

The Bent Musket Thursday Open Thread: Help Me I'm Sore

2013-05-23T15:23:20Z

So I played in the Media Game yesterday at Gillette. News flash: being in "better" shape because you go to the gym and lift and do some cardio is not the same as being in athlete shape. I can barely walk right now. But hey, I won the skills challenge, so I got a novelty ball signed by Jerry Bengtson.

That was my Wednesday, which I'm sure you were all dying to hear about. Talk about that or (more likely) anything else in the comments section.

The Bent Musket Wednesday Open Thread: BIG BAD BRUINS BABY

2013-05-22T13:10:07Z

Anybody else see the majesty that was the Bruins-Rangers game last night? I'm telling you guys, this team is something special right now. I'm not sure I credited them with being this good going into the playoffs, but they're playing now the way they did at the beginning of this shortened season when they had the franchise's best-ever start. Also, the Rangers suck.

So here's the second edition of the morning kickaround. Talk amongst yourselves.

Revolution 2-0 Dynamo: Player Ratings and Man of the Match

2013-05-21T21:07:43Z

Bobby Shuttleworth: Average Rating - 7.17 (Steve 7, Corey 7.5, Abram 7)

Steve: Made good saves, none better than the reaction on Ching. Solid all night...Corey: Excellent match from Bobby. Came out well on corners with confidence and poise. Made a couple stellar saves. Excellent match...Abram: Considered going higher, but was a bit weak off the line early on and was bailed out by Jose twice. Still what a great season so far from a guy I was questioning last year.

Darrius Barnes: Average Rating - 5.83 (Steve 5, Corey 6.5, Abram 6)

Steve: Solid but unspectacular, offered little going forward but gave up little defensively...Corey: I think Barnes played very well. Had the pace to keep up with Houston's wing attack and was very disciplined in 1v1 situations especially in and around the penalty area. Might even deserve another start...Abram: Just an all-around solid, if not spectacular performance. Nice to have him as our backline, jack-knife of all trades.

Jose Goncalves: Average Rating - 7.5 (Steve 6.5, Corey 8, Abram 8)

Steve: Another great shift, and a great choice as captain...Corey: A rock as always. Kept everyone on the same page. Cool and composed throughout. Shut down Bruin all game...Abram: What can you say? Was anyone surprised when he was made the captain?

Stephen McCarthy: Average Rating - 6.33 (Steve 7, Corey 7, Abram 5)

Steve: Great JoGo performances are blinding people to Macca's good form. He was the best passing defender on the pitch and was everywhere defensively...Corey: Shaky at times but overall a very nice outing for McCarthy. Showing great confidence in his role...Abram: Is he showing why he was our Defender of the Year last season? Not really. Is he capable of a good shift? Yes. Will it be a difficult choice to replace him with AJ when Soares is healthy again? I'm not sure.

Andrew Farrell: Average Rating - 5.67 (Steve 5.5, Corey 6, Abram 5.5)

Steve: Decent going forward, rock-solid in defense...Corey: Probably our weakest link along the backline, mostly on the attack where he squandered a few chances. Why are you shooting the ball when there's other open teammates around the area, bro?...Abram: Did well getting into the attack, stayed solid all night. I didn't notice him most of the night, which is a compliment.

Clyde Simms: Average Rating - 7.5 (Steve 7.5, Corey 8, Abram 7)

Steve: 91% passing accuracy, an assist, 8 recoveries, and an excellent game overall...Corey: Beautiful game from Simms. I questioned his inclusion in the XI at first, but I can see now that he was the perfect man for the job. Pacey and involved, Clyde made a case to be back in the starting XI for Jay Heaps. Oh and great assist on the goal. Who knew he could do that!...Abram: Vintage Simms from last year. You're not getting an assist from him every day, but he was calm, cool and just vintage Clyde.

Ryan Guy: Average Rating - 5.33 (Steve 5, Corey 6, Abram 5)

Steve: Was looking solid until his injury. Can't really judge him further...Corey: Somewhat of an off night it seemed, and unfortunately it got cut short due to a calf injury. Hoping he won't spend too much time on the sidelines...Abram: Not sure what to judge him on. Good in his short-shift. Hopefully, the injury is not serious as his insertion into the lineup has gone with the team's improved performances.

Lee Nguyen: Average Rating - 8 (Steve 8, Corey 8, Abram 8)

Steve: Attempted 68 passes, completed over 91% of them, had 10 recoveries, and nearly had a goal or two. He took the extra space of a short-handed game and absolutely ran with it. If he scored I'd have given him a 10...Corey: If Diego didnt play so well, he might be my MOTM. Was tirelessly involved in just about every attack the revs had. Showed how dangerous he can be when teams forget about him and give him a little room to find spaces and create chances. Was robbed of probably two goals, once by the post and once by Farrell....Abram: Starting to show sparks of what I loved about him last season. Creative, precise passes. And may have had a goal off a blast from distance that only the crossbar saved. Hopefully more of this will lead to his confidence growing. Probably his best game this year.

Juan Toja: Average Rating - 5.83 (Steve 6, Corey 6, Abram 5.5)

Steve: Passing was crisp, still a slightly disjointed performance, but he was involved in all the best attacks...Corey: Still don't think he really belongs in the starting XI and maybe not even on this team. Looks slow at times and too often tries to do it all himself. He rubs me the wrong way and I was happy to see him come off. But overall, I guess he had a fine game...Abram: Bugs me, a lot, but was not that poor. Defensively still a liability.

Diego Fagundez: Average Rating - 8.33 (Steve 8, Corey 9, Abram 8)

Steve: Much more involved than usual, good passing numbers, and of course, the goal. His instincts are just incredible...Corey: There's no stopping this kid right now. He is on pace for a really amazing season if he can keep this up. Literally ran around in a 20-30 yard circle before coming back for the goal. So sneaky, so clinical...Abram: Are we living in a world where Diego is legitimately a Revs' MVP candidate? Time to lay to rest the Biebergundez references and start with the Diego Timberlake ones, as his teen idol status is making way to some authentically great performances.

Dimitry Imbongo: Average Rating - 5 (Steve 4, Corey 6, Abram 5)

Steve: People talk about how he bullied the defense, and they're right, but I think of how he wasted three or four great chances by struggling to even get a shot off...Corey: I'm thinking Jay asked him to just go out there and be a bully, and that's just what he did. Took Houston's starting CB's out of the game (literally) even if it cost him his own red card, which he probably shouldnt have got. He was being a jerk out there, but it's nice to have one of those on our team for once. I, for one, applaud his efforts...Abram: Better suited for the 4-1-5-1 than Jerry. A lot quicker than I had expected. He was basically was a poor-man's Steven Lenhart getting into it with Houston defenders. That said, the red card brings his rating down.

Juan Agudelo (sub): Average Rating - 6.67 (Steve 5.5, Corey 7.5, Abram 7)

Steve: Did well, made good runs, but was obviously not 100% fit. Excellent work on the own-goal, though, perhaps deserves full credit for that...Corey: Helllooooooo Juan! Great job being involved. Clearly still working on getting used to his new teammates and definitely not 100% game fit yet, but he put in a sweet shift and has me super excited to see more out of him this season...Abram: Before we get overly excited, let's remember Jerry scored on his debut, too. That said he brought a level into the attack that we had not seen in a while probably should get credit for the Rico Clark own goal, but won't. Let's see what he does in his next few games before appointing him our newest savior.

Scott Caldwell (sub): Average Rating - 5.5 (Steve 5, Corey 6.5, Abram 5)

Steve: Clean and simple passing, good defensively, did well overall to help secure the win...Corey: A good introduction into the game. Plays well pairing with Clyde and Lee. Didn't do anything spectacular, but handled all the little, simple stuff. Good role for him...Abram: Smart substitution and played well. Another of those "I didn't really notice him, in a good way" scores.

Chris Tierney (sub): Average Rating - 6 (Steve 5, Corey 7, Abram 6)

Steve: Ran hard, looked good on the break, instrumental in the own-goal though he actually could have done better with Agudelo's ball. Also misplaced 3 out of 4 total passes, and was dispossessed 3 times in just 15 minutes. Needs to be cleaner...Corey: Always thought he played better at LM, and he did in this game. Credit to Jay for making a smart substitution. Tierney was just what the revs needed to stretch the Dynamo and help get his team wide on the counter attack. Instrumental in the second goal. If Guy's injury is serious, I propose Tierney getting another start in his spot on the left wing...Abram: Better on the wing. I always say that. Proved it again today.

Poll

Who was your Revolution Man of the Match against Houston?

The Bent Musket Tuesday Open Thread: For the First Time Ever

2013-05-21T12:00:10Z

In the past few months, I've noticed that our base of New England Revolution fans and TBM readers who are leaving comments on our stories is growing. We've grown from probably two regular commenters to a decent stable, and growing that community is one of the major reasons why we do this every day.

On that note, we've decided to try implementing a new feature. (Hopefully) every morning, we'll put up a post like this where you're all encouraged to talk amongst yourselves. I want you guys to use the comment section and post about anything - absolutely anything - and talk to each other. We the authors will chat, too.

I'll usually try to include something in the post body or title as a suggestion for discussion topics, but in the end, we talk about what you guys want to talk about. Be it a movie, the food you ate yesterday, the TV you've been watching, school, work, the Revs, soccer, other sports, video games, whatever; we can chat about it. For a clear idea of what I'm looking for, take a look at Stanley Cup of Chowder's daily Morning Skate feature.

And thus, I will leave you with this: I have been watching Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on Netflix almost non-stop, and I'm concerned with myself. I can't stop. It's like a disease.

Revolution 2-0 Dynamo: New England Earns Upset in Houston

2013-05-19T03:12:15Z

The New England Revolution pulled off an unlikely upset on Saturday night, taking down the Houston Dynamo in Texas by a 2-9 score line. An excellent goal from Diego Fagundez and an own goal from Ricardo Clark capped off a match marred by some truly awful officiating.

After a tumultuous and tempestuous first half, both teams dialed up the intensity and really did nothing to mitigate the overt physical pattern of play that was emerging, and Edvin Jurisevic failed to gain control of the match as the referee. He made several perplexing calls and neither team came away feeling that the ref had done them any favors.

Fagundez's goal came in the 51st minute after a well-crafted team move that the little winger was integral in starting. He made a long lateral run across the top of the box to the right flank, where he received the ball and had some nice interplay with Lee Nguyen and Juan Toja. He eventually got the ball back and cut back towards the middle, playing a slick one-two with Clyde Simms at the top of the box that released him into the box on Tally Hall. From there, it was just a matter of applying the finish, which he did clinically.

The Revs cranked up the pressure after the goal, running through a period of total dominance in all phases of play. The peak came between the 70th and 75th minutes, a stretch that included two very close chances from distance by Nguyen and a good counter-attack that was squandered on a wasteful Andrew Farrell shot. Nguyen, for his part, forced a save from Hall and hit the post just a minute later.

Houston started pressing after that, and if not for the heroics of Bobby Shuttleworth, may have found an equalizer. In the 81st minute, a little pass from the far post by Andrew Driver found Brian Ching just outside the six, but his effort was parried away by Shuttleworth in a brilliant reaction save.

Then, against the run of play, the Revs scored the second goal and put the game away. Nguyen galloped downfield on a counterattack with support from Juan Agudelo and Chris Tierney. Nguyen got into the box and played a long lateral ball on the ground to Agudelo, who controlled and then flicked into space on the left for Tierney. Tally Hall came out to challenge and Tierney played the ball over him, but it was headed up by Adam Moffat. Agudelo got to it and tried to side-foot it in, and ended up putting it in off of Ricardo Clark's leg for an own-goal.

After dominating possession in the first half, the Revs ended up finishing the match with just 46.5%, but it was the quality of the possession that counted. In the end, they were out-passed, out-shot, and committed more fouls, but they got it done. The performances of Fagundez, Simms, and Nguyen were particularly good, and Goncalves was again monstrous in defense.

Fagundez was subbed out of the game near the end with an apparent injury, though no word has come out yet on what it was. The Revs will be in action again next Saturday against Toronto back at Gillette Stadium.