Photo by Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports
By SBI SOCCER
There seems to be no stopping the New England Revolution as the 2015 MLS season winds down.
The red-hot Revs increased their win streak to five with a 3-1 victory against Toronto FC Sunday evening at BMO Field.
Once again, Lee Nguyen was the facilitator on the day, setting up two goals, but the result was more a result of a strong group effort than one player’s dominance.
With the win, New England distanced the gap from fifth to fourth in the Eastern Conference, sitting six points ahead of Toronto FC and just one point behind the third-place Columbus Crew.
Both sides had dangerous opportunities to score throughout the first 45 minutes, but the Revolution forced TFC into a hole early. In just the fourth minute, Jermaine Jones slipped a beautiful through ball behind the TFC back line and into the path of Teal Bunbury. The forward’s low cross did not find the feet of any Revolution attackers, but it did find defender Damien Perquis, who scored an own goal.
The Revolution would make that hole even bigger in the 39th minute. Nguyen teed up Diego Fagundez at the top of the box, and the 20-year-old Uruguayan finessed the ball into the back of the net.
Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco combined moments after halftime, but the Italian international’s chip shot did not bounce over the line. However, in the 55th minute, TFC finally found an answer, as Robbie Findlay rose high to head in a Justin Morrow cross from the left wing.
That momentum faded away, though, 16 minutes later. Michael Bradley held possession in his own penalty area, and Nguyen wrestled the ball away from the U.S. Men’s National Team captain. Kelyn Rowe was there at the right time and quickly blasted a shot into the TFC goal.
Toronto FC ended the game up 21 to seven on shots attempted, but the Revolution would leave the happier side with all three points.
The Revolution must now focus on the New York Red Bulls for Wednesday before their meeting with the Montreal Impact Saturday. Toronto FC will play New York City FC and the Colorado Rapids those same days.
Bryan and Anthony be prepared for the onslaught when people logon at work Monday, one does not criticize Michael Bradley nor comment positively about the Mexican national team even in a limited fashion.
Neither are world-beaters, but the are among the best America has produced. This should tell us how far behind we are in player production. Frankly, US is deeper, but they are dependent with mediocre players. The talent level in the generation before them (guys in their mid to late 30’s (32-37/8) was better at the starting 11.
People want to argue, but I have been saying for a couple years that Mexico has a better and deeper player pool. They just suffer from too many ego problems and lackadaisical performances. However, individuall, this generation is better.
Now that I am back home, let me correct my error-filled message (due to typing while using my phone)
“Neither one is a world-beater, but they are among the best America has produced in their generation. This should tell us how far behind we are in terms of player production. Frankly, US is deeper than they have ever been, but we are deeper in terms of mediocrity (with mediocre players). The talent level in the generation before this (guys currently in their mid to late 30’s (32-37) was much better at the starting 11.”
Altidore and Bradley are just average players at best. At least 90 mimutes without a goal will drop that stupid goals per minute stat they keep throwing up there in an attempt to brainwash us.
Bryan,
No one is trying to brainwash you. Anyone with half a brain can see those two are mediocre. But as they say, a one eyed man rules in the kingdom of the blind.
What the stats show is that Bradley and Altidore, mediocre as they may be, are amongst the USMNT’s most productive performers.
If you want to drop players because they make you sick to watch them perform then by all means drop Jozy.
But I hope you have a plan to replace him and Mikey.
Bryan,
I seriously wish Klinsmann is watching these games man. No shots on goal for Altidore in a 4-3-3 formation, Robbie Finley and Giovinco trying the goalkeeper and looking dangerous all game, Bradley gives Rowe an easy goal by playing with the ball in the 18……I’m not saying play like Ronaldo or Iniesta but at least play above the rest like you are a DP and member of the USMNT…….but you can’t produce against the Revolution’s Farrell, Tierney, Goncalves and Shuttleworth, and get out shinned by Nyugen and Fagundez.