Speed Kills!
By: Dan |
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Greg Lalas over at Goal.com has reported that Gambia is the new South America. With both Mansally and Nyassi playing like they’re seasoned veterans, Steve Nicol can sit pretty and let his new signings do the talking for him. Mansally and Nyassi netted one apiece in the Rev’s 3-1 win against KC. The dynamic duo has continued their torrid starts to the season after promising pre-season performances.
Mansally is quoted after his first MLS goal, “During the warming up, I said to Sainey, ‘Look this is so important today. I think I’m going to score a goal.’ You know, something like that. So by then I was planning that and I finished it easy. It felt really great scoring my first goal. So I think more good things are coming. That’s what I’m looking for.” -at Post-Game Quotes
Maurcio Castro ably had a hand in two goals, one by Jack Jewsbury (KC og) and the other a tap in by Nyassi. The Honduran is settling in and delighting fans with dangerous crosses and accurate free-kicks. If he keeps his fitness and form, we’ll be asking “Noonan who?” at the end of the season.
I really think the main difference between this season and seasons past is our speed. We don’t wait, patiently build up and then cross the ball in after dribbling to the touchline. That’s the Revs of past, now we’re small, speedy and can counter with the best of them. Unfortunately I couldn’t watch the past TWO games because they weren’t on in my area! Unacceptable! I may be writing a strongly worded email - to someone, somewhere - in the near future.
More on the Revs loss to Colorado in the future.
Category: Team News
Complete And Utter Suckage
By: Dan | 3 Comments
We didn’t play well (especially that Jeff Larentowicz fellow) and we deserved the outcome. A 4-0 loss might have been a blessing in disguise…
No, no it couldn’t. I’m trying to see the ‘bright side’ but what’s the point? Blanco & Co out did us in every-which-way. (Which is really saying something because I think my Uncle Stu served with Blanco in Korea…)
More to come. When I can think straight after the anger has gone away.
Category: Team NewsKey Players Injured
By: Dan | Add Comments
Captain Steve and Twellman are injured. Twellman has a bum meniscus and the Cap’n dislocated his shoulder. Both injuries are somewhat serious, nagging, and discomforting.
Read about it here: injured stars @ official website
Thanks backseat
Category: Team NewsSweet Revenge
By: Dan | 10 Comments
After a 3-0 drubbing over Houston, New England showed their depth and look lively. Can a season get off to a better start? A win over your arch rivals - with an injured star - and bunch of newbies!
New midfielder Mauricio Castro started in place of Khano Smith on the left flank, as Smith is away with the Bermudan Nat’l Team. The Honduran looked lively, no doubt about about that, but I don’t think he provided the same spark that Khano does. It’s because he’s A) not as fast B) not a giant, 6′3″ target. Once he settles in to the MLS, which is definitely a more physical league than the one he’s used to, he’ll be a-ok. The buildup to the second goal was probably the best he got. You think?
Those Gambians, one game and I’m already sold. These guys are telepathic. Nyassi to Mansally, get used to hearing it because it’s going to be said often in the future (hopefully a few times a game). Nyassi did a nice little deke job around the Dynamo defenders to cross the ball to his compatriot Mansally, who dually delivered with a well placed shot, which in turn caused the rebound that Steve Ralston slotted home in the 15th minute.
The second goal was a product of one of Jeff Larentowicz’s semi-crazy shots. (I’m saying semi-crazy because it almost went in, a far cry from his usual field goal-esque punt job.) The resulting rebound was netted by Twellman stand-in Ace Cristman (who looked pretty good out there) with a handy header.
For the final goal, in stoppage time, Nyassi did his best Cristiano Ronaldo step-over and banged the ball in from the 6 yard box after throughly baffling the Houston defender.
All in all, a fantastic start to the season. Especially since Twellman and Smith weren’t playing, and Nyassi, Mansally, and Castro are all fairly new to the system. If this is a sign of things to come, I’m happy. Oh, Steve Nicol, why did I secretly doubt you?
Category: Team NewsPreview: Defense
By: Dan | 2 Comments
This season’s defense looks steady, fairly deep, and experienced. I actually think we’ve got a better D than usual. Albright is a step up from Riley for sure, and to be honest, I never really liked Avery John - too many wonky tackles.
Amaechi Igwe - Igwe has the potential to be a big deal in the MLS. He’s versatile, playing left wing back, left defense, left mid, and left attacking mid. He offers lots of options for Nicol and Co, since he’s quick, and a good dribbler - I just hope he tackles better than John. And his dad was captain of Nigeria, wow.
Chris Albright - A big time, versatile MLS defender. After starting his career as a striker in college, he was switched to an attacking mid by DC, then he became a right defender after he was traded to the Galaxy. He’s not the same player he was when he came into the league, he’s lost a step or two due to injury and age. But what he’s lost in physicality he’s made up in smarts. He’s got a case of Ben Olsen Syndrome…
Jay Heaps IV - Solid through and through, he’s been a stalwart on our right side for seven seasons. What’s more to know? He’s a New Englander, who plays for New England! Sounds good to me.
Joe Franchino - I don’t know about Joey. He’s often injured, and not the most technical player on the pitch. He’s what an MLS defender was ten years ago. Maybe it’s time to cut him loose?
Michael Parkhurst - A new-school MLS defender, he’s got great soccer sense, winning the 2005 ROY award. Unfortunately Parkhurst is an Irish-American, and he carries an Irish passport - meaning he can jump to Europe anytime he’s got an opportunity. Let’s keep this guy under contract, just throw money at him, he’s that good.
Gary Flood - After an unspectacular rookie season, where he only played five games, he’s ready to take on a bigger role. Since he can play both center D and defensive mid, maybe he can fill in for Larentowicz? Other than that, he’s a Hofstra alum, making him a Pride.
Chase Hilgenbrinck - He’s just been signed recently, and I’m glad. He’s got experience playing in the Chilean top-flight, which has quite a few quality players. He plays right back, I think (correct my if I’m wrong here) and can play in the middle too. He’ll be filling in this season, probably.
Big Rob Valentino - A punishing, 6′3″ center back. After experiencing knee problems (ACL) his senior year in college his draft stock dropped and the Revs picked him up with the eighth pick - which was a steal - if he can stay healthy. I think he could start straight away, and he might.
Kyle Helton - Another Duke alum, he hasn’t started an MLS game yet in his one-year career. I’ve never seen him play, practice, or seen his picture. I don’t know anything about him, except that he can play left and right back.
Sam Brill - He’s a native New Englander (from Newton, MA) and a former accounting major from BC. He could be the pick of the draft - he’s steady, steady, steady. A real Parkhurst-type.
Category: Team NewsI’m Back!
By: Dan | Add Comments
Hello All,
I just got back to Massachusetts after a marathon train journey across the US. I hit 13 states, traveled 4500 miles and now I’m back at school.
Luckily, I’m back in time for the start of the season, right? On 3/29/08 at 7:30pm, the Revs will face off against the Houston Dynamo.
Not playing for the Revs will be Wells Thompson and Joey Franchino. The Cape Cod Times reports that Mauricio Castro will be given the reigns to pull the strings in the midfield. Nicol will probably end up playing a 3-5-2 formation to make room for Larentowicz, Joseph, and Castro. I’m thinking Joseph and Larentowicz will be hanging back a bit to allow Castro some room to create chances in the Dynamo half.
The Dynamo have a new look this season with two of their four top scorers moving on to big money in Europe. Both Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya scooted off to Austria. So it’s really anyone’s game, the Revs lost a few players but none were really, that key. But Houston, they lost major players.
In other news, we got new kits. The fashion editors over at ThreeFrontRunners critique each teams new duds and compare them to previous years.
Let’s be honest here, we didn’t sign any sexy players. No Gallardo, no Lopez, no one that’s really a game changer on their own, and we never do. But somehow we always seem to end up at the conference finals (at least for the past six seasons!). Yellow Chair Sports has a few good blurbs about their thoughts on the up coming season, it’s not as comprehensive as the Offside, but how many blogs out there are?
We got Sam Brill, he’s an accountant - so at least he’s smart, right? I bet he could do waaaay more math than both Gallardo and Lopez combined. Actually, if Brill needs some cashmoney to supplement his measly 12k salary, maybe he could help manage Beckham’s millions?
Matt Reis will be on ESPN SportsNation @ 3pm 4/1. Tune in and check it out, it’s not that common to have a soccer player on a mainstream sports program. So savor it!
Category: Team NewsLinks and Midfield Analysis
By: Dan | Add Comments
No news is good news, right?
1) Revs sign Gambians, Gambia makes it to World Cup Finals?
2) Cuba Ties US, and Some Argenis Fernandez Info
3) Thanks Seattle PI, But You’re A Little Late!
Midfielders, midfielders, midfielders!
We’ve got a dearth of talent, myriad options, and enviable depth. What’s not to like?
Amaechi Igwe - Igwe’s got soccer in his genes, his dad was the captain of the ‘68 Nigerian World Cup team, and it shows. This guy has skills, he’s quick, tricky, and versatile - playing left D, left wingback, and left mid - he was an obvious Generation Adidas player. After not making an appearance in the first team last season, Igwe is poised to get some playing time after Avery John’s contract wasn’t renewed.
Shalrie Joseph - Shalrie is a rock in our midfield. He’s the quintessential MLS player done good. He signed with the Revs after a glittering career as St. John’s, and has attracted attention from Old Firm club Celtic. Shalrie is a presence in the air, and is always in the Best XI voting. So let’s hope our rock stays on after his contract expires!
Jeff Larentowicz - He was voted the most improved player in the MLS before last season, and his playing time increased accordingly. Jeff is a great defensive minded midfielder, with bulldog tenacity, and tackling skills to boot. I’d like to see Nicol limit his long shots in the future, because every time I see him windup to take a shot outside the box, I see the ball go waaaay over the net. He’s a blaster, not a placed shot kind of guy… let’s hope he’s been practicing.
Steve Ralston - He was last season’s assist leader with 14, and has the most in league history with 141, he’s a legend in his own right! The St. Louis native, has been a mainstay on the right mid since 2002 when he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Mutiny Allocation Draft.
Khano Smith - The starting left mid since he signed in 2005 from the Bermudan league’s Dandy Town Hornets. He’s tall, he’s tricky, he’s deceptively agile and he’s really, really fast. There’s nobody better in the league to have prowling around the left flank. He even scores timely goals, like in the 2005 semi-finals against the Metros. His stats say: 1 SHT, 1 SOT, 1 G. Can you ask for anything more?
Wells Thompson - As I’ve said earlier, he’s ready to make a splash. When he was called on last season, he stepped up, time and time again. He’s a smart player, with a fair amount of flair for an American, and I’ll bet that he’s going to start this season… in some capacity.
Three sign Developmental Contracts
Category: Team NewsRevolution Love Boat?
By: Dan | 2 Comments
image via Boston Globe Photo / Stan Grossfeld
Remember that scandal from a few years ago? You know, the one where all those Minnesota Vikings players got arrested because they were cruising for “love”. I hope that’s not what’s about to happen here! Look below for your daily dose of wholesomeness: Rev’s newbie Rob Valentino is mugging with some toddlers. Ah, I remember when I sported a bowlcut. Those were the days!
Mike Springer/Metrowest Daily News staffAfter a productive pre-season, it’s alright that they’re letting loose a little…
Next post: Midfielders!
Category: BlogrollAtlante 1 Revs 0
By: Dan | 4 Comments
In a heated (and I mean heated) match against Mexican Apertura winners Atlante, the Revs failed to find the net. Three players were given marching orders, Albright after two cautions, and Larentowicz and an Atlante player were both show straight reds after a scuffle in the 81st minute.
The Atlante goal was scored my midfield captain, Jose Munoz Mustafa, in the 38th minute. It is of note that not much separated the two sides, with as both had abundant shots on net. Check the game report @ House of Soccer.
In other news, former Revs midfielder, Arsene Oka signed onto the Portland Timbers yesterday. Oka, began his career in his native Cote d’Ivoire, playing for Stade d’Abidjan and Africa Sports National before coming to the states to play for the Revs.
Category: Team NewsPreview: Attack
By: Dan | 2 Comments
Sorry I’ve been lax on the updates, guys. I’ve had three exams in the past two days. Pray for me, please.
Our attack looks as potent (if not more) as usual. Right now the official roster looks looks like this in the forwards department:
-Taylor Twellman - he’s got a lock on one starting slot. With 101 goals in 171 games, he’s a safe bet for 15+ goals in any given year, provided he stays healthy.
-Kenny Mansally - The MF/FW started only one game for the Revs last season, after coming over from Real de Banjul of the Gambian Championnat National, mid season. Steve Nicol must have seen something he liked at the U20 World Cup and his bet has paid off so far this pre-season. Mansally has netted five goals in three contests.
-Adam Cristman - Last season Cristman did an admirable job filling in for the oft-injured and now departed Pat Noonan. After appearing in 28 games as a rookie and scoring four goals, he’s probably got enough seasoning to play as Twellman’s strike-mate every week. He’ll be a lock once he finds the net more often.
-Argenis Fernandez - The recently signed Fernandez must have had quite an U20 World Cup for Costa Rica, because we already have quite a bit of depth up front. Let’s see what he does in Mexico, and keep our fingers crossed for a Luciano Emilio type player.
-Jose Angulo - This kid could play a big role in the future of this club. The Revs put in not one, but two discovery claims on him before he was even out of high school. With some time to develop, and careful guidance, he could be a star both with the Revs and with the Nats
Pre-season Update :
The Revs are currently sitting pretty with a 3-0-0 record so far. Most recently against Pioneros de Cancun, Khano Smith netted two and assisted one while Twellman and Mansally added to the tally.
There’s a good writeup about it on the Revs website: here .
I’ll follow up soon with information about the waiver draft, which developmental players we’re signing and more positional bios. Hopefully the rosters will firm up soon so we can talk about formations too. There’s rumor that we’re switching to a CAM formation? We’ll see.
Category: Team News
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