Going back to the scene of the crime (Rio Tinto)
Written by Jeff Lemieux on June 30, 2010 – 2:07 pm -I’m certainly not used to traveling on Wednesdays, but with a rare Friday night meeting with Real Salt Lake on tap and a Thursday afternoon training session scheduled in Utah to help the Revs acclimate to the altitude, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing in a few hours. The team is scheduled to arrive in Salt Lake City late this evening, but everyone should have the opportunity for a good night’s sleep ahead of tomorrow’s important workout.
It’s been more than three weeks since the Revs last traveled, that being to the Pacific Northwest for a 3-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC on June 5. The Revolution has had its first share of struggles on the road this season, going 1-5-0 in six games away from Gillette Stadium. Not since a 2-0 victory over D.C. United on April 3 at RFK Stadium have the Revs caught a return flight with points to show.
With the season’s midway point fast-approaching, they’ll be looking to turn that fortune around at one of the toughest road venues in the league, Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL is an unbeaten 5-0-2 at home this season and has outscored opponents by a margin of 15-5 in those seven matches, not to mention the fact that the defending champs are currently on a club-record eight-game unbeaten run (6-0-2) in league action. Oh yeah, there’s also that little matter of the Revolution’s 6-0 loss to Salt Lake the last time the teams met at Rio Tinto Stadium in April of last year, marking New England’s worst regular-season loss in club history.
Here’s what Chris Tierney - who played the full 90 minutes in that 6-0 loss - had to say …
“It will definitely be in the back of my mind. If anything, I think it’ll drive us on to get a result there. That was definitely one of the days in my pro career I’d like to forget, and I’ll be going out with a little extra bite if I get a chance to play. I’ll be looking to put it right.”
Head coach Steve Nicol said that he likely won’t have to remind his players of last year’s result, but he will if necessary to provide some extra motivation …
“It’s not something you should forget if you’re a player. Certainly we don’t forget it as coaches, so I think we might remind them about it.”
While the Revs know they have a difficult task ahead of them if they hope to leave Rio Tinto Stadium with points, they’re eager for the challenge and the opportunity to reverse last year’s result. As always we’ll be there to cover it with video from training on Thursday, plus Revolution Soccer Game Day, Â RevsWrap and Revolution Soccer Postgame on Friday. That’s in addition to written features, so stay tuned to revolutionsoccer.net.
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July 1st, 2010 at 10:41 am
While it’s nice to think we’re going to suddenly go undefeated for the remainder of the season I think that we’d be woefully naive to think that’s going to happen. I think management need to focus on what changes we need to make to make sure we’re on track to take the conference in 2011. My two cents:
GK: Reis looks good and if he stays healthy, no changes needed. Would LOVE to see Burpo stay with us to make us rock solid in the net.
Backline: We’ve got a nice mix of experience, youth, and speed. No changes needed in my opinion.
Midfield: Glaring need for a central midfielder that can play with Joseph. Hard to tell just how dangerous our flanks are without someone else in the middle to get them the ball. On the outside, the crosses look good and we’re tracking back and pushing forward as needed. Not sure whether the ideal compliment attacks like Ralston used to, or plays more defense like Jeff L.
Forwards: Need to make some major changes on the front end. Dube and Zack can be dangerous but they don’t have the final touch to be game changers. I love their passion and positioning but that’s clearly not cutting it. At this point, they’re great subs but not MLS starters. Jankauskus is quickly turning into the biggest waste of money in NE since the big dig. Free up the money and let’s try brining in someone else. I think Perovic could settle in up front - his touch is clearly head and shoulders above the other forwards. He’s clearly a very dangerous player. Now we need a finisher that can play with him.
As for Twellman, I’m not sure what to think. If Belichick were the coach, I think we’d drop Twellman after the latest set back. I want him to get healthy and to see him back on the pitch, I just don’t know whether that’s realistic anymore. This clearly isn’t a broken bone or torn ACL with full recovery expected in 1 yr or less. I expect Twellman would be out for the season again if he took an elbow to the head or a driven header from Perovic. Considering how likely these two scenarios are, I don’t think that bodes well for Twellman surviving very long in MLS.
As for Ralston, I think he could be a NE version of Blanco. I think he has to play up front and cherry pick. I also don’t think we can expect him to play 90 min. I think this is where Zack and Dube would fit in…
July 1st, 2010 at 2:15 pm
We don’t have a prayer at Rio Tinto. We haven’t beat a Western side yet, we’ve won only a single away game, and we always seem to blow it in this high altitude torture chamber. I also agree with backseat when he says it’s time to focus on 2011. Our playoff streak is set to be snapped and it would take some sort of mini-miracle to revive our hopes. Anyone see that coming?
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Clearly this team is in rebuilding mode,and we are not the only ones take a look at Houston. Everything goes in cycles, let’s see if Nicol can shape this team back to its winning ways.
July 4th, 2010 at 10:35 am
I thought we were going to hear from Mike Burns sometime this past week? If he’s still preparing his answers I’ve got another question for him: Why did we protect Steve Ralston in the expansion draft when we didn’t already have him signed up? That mistake cost us Brad Knighton (as well as Steve Ralston). Everything I read and heard about BK was that he was a promising talent and a sure bet to be an MLS No 1. Did the club disagree with this assessment? Cheers.
July 4th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Where is Mike Burns?
I suppose the Revolution organization wishes to create a supporter community, understanding that that’s where the reliable, sustainable revenue streams are.
Then the Revolution organization must hold itself genuinely accountable to that supporter community. Mike Burns needs to answer the questions he was asked - substantively. WHERE ARE THE PLAYERS?
July 4th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Mike Burns is not yet answered questions b/c he is:
1. Working on signing a big name player and doesn’t want to announce anything just yet.
2. He is cleaning out his office. (fingers crossed)
3. He has no answers. (most likely)
July 4th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Good memory Cooper. And by losing Knighton, we were forced to trade for Burpo/Gibbs, which required us to lose Jeff L and Wells(oh well), which has hurt us in the CM position. Having Ralston for that tough patch w/o Shalrie Im sure would have helped stabilize the team.
Knighton could/should have been given the chance to start for an injured Reis and Phelan could have filled in at CB in replace of Gibbs, who has looked only ok. All because the FO didnt want too resign Larentowicz & Ralston to contracts they earned/deserved. Ralston is the All-Time Minutes, Games, Appearances, & Assists leader in the MLS.
And where is that response from Burns?
July 5th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
How about a Q and A With B.Kraft, My 1st question. Does he even know the score of Friday nights game?