New England snap Red Bulls unbeaten streak: 3 things we learned
By Harvey Cruz
The Revolution defeated the Red Bulls 2-1 at Gillette Stadium Saturday night. Here are three things we learned from the game.
The Revolution got back in the win column Saturday, coming from behind to end New York’s five-game winning streak. Here’s what we learned from the match.
Despite hot start, Jesse Marsch’s tactics backfired
Missing five players, Marsch opted for a 4-3-1-2 formation instead of the traditional 4-2-3-1. With Luis Robles still injured, Ryan Meara kept his place in goal. Connor Lade replaced Michael Amir Murillo at right-back, Vincent Bezecourt started in a midfield trio alongside Florian Valot and Sean Davis. Aurilien Collin replaced Tim Parker at center-back.
Derrick Etienne started ahead of Daniel Royer in a striker-tandem with Bradley Wright-Phillips, and the latter opened the scoring with a nasty header. From the penalty spot, he beat Andrew Farrell to mark his ninth goal of the season. But from that point forward New York created very little, mostly down to their new formation.
Kaku, who operated as the number 10 behind Derrick Etienne and Bradley Wright-Phillips, couldn’t create anything. The space ahead of him was impeded by the strikers ahead of him. Other than Kemar Lawrence, there was little to no wide play going forward. When in possession, Bezecourt and Valot couldn’t string passes together which cost New York big time.
Losing the possession battle kept New England in the game. Once Diego Fagundez scored just before halftime, New York’s confidence sunk. Cristian Padilla beat Lade in a footrace to cross the ball onto the feet of Teal Bunbury to score the winner in the 78th minute. The big question following this game is why Marsch didn’t stick to the 4-2-3-1, as his tactics costed the team in a major way.
Diego Fagundez is blossoming into a star
The 23-year-old Uruguayan came into this game struggling to find his goalscoring form with three goals and three assists. However, Fagundez was sensational in this game and his goal speaks to the bright future he has ahead. With more consistency, he’s going to be a star.
One thing that has helped him is playing more centrally as a number 10 as opposed to operating on the wing. And while the goals haven’t come as he liked, he’s someone opponents game plan for which highlights his importance to the team.
“Definitely as a No. 10, I feel very comfortable there, and they’re giving me the confidence to play there,” Fagundez said. “You just have to be focused and try to get the ball as much as possible and make your team play. It’s one of those things that I’ve played it before, and it’s still in my skin, and I can do it.”
The time is now for him to explode and take over games. He’s got the skills and eye for goal to push this team further than expected, even with Brad Friedel as first-year manager. If the Revs are going to make a push for the playoffs, look for Fagundez to literally be in the middle of it.
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The Eastern Conference is exciting this season
Saturday’s Eastern Conference slate was as follows: First-place Atlanta hosted seventh-place Philadelphia. Columbus hosted Toronto in a rematch of last year’s conference final, second-place New York City hosted sixth-place Orlando City and of course Red Bulls versus New England.
Just looking at that alone tells you that the Eastern Conference will be a bar fight throughout this entire season. Atlanta are arguably the league’s best team, two points ahead of NYCFC with Columbus a point behind. Red Bulls and the Revolution are now tied for fourth place, while Orlando, Philadelphia and Chicago are separated by two points for the last playoff spot.
While last year wasn’t all that fun due to Toronto’s dominance, it speaks to how strong the conference is that the defending champs are currently in 10th place. They’re one point ahead of last-place D.C. United, yet you can’t count out Toronto due to Sebastian Giovinco and the returning Jozy Altidore.
The Eastern Conference is stronger and is the best conference in the league. Watch for these conference battles, both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup winners may come from the East.