The New England Revolution are looking to improve in 2012. We are looking to climb the standings, compete in every game, and challenge for playoff wins. Before the brief international break the Revs beat Chicago 2-0 in New England sending a message that despite losses to NY and DC we would push our way into the playoff discussion. When Columbus came to visit we all expected more of the same. We expected our Revs to generate scoring opportunities. We expected Columbus to play a solid but uninspiring game based on defense. While we did see notable improvements from the Revolution, the result was not satisfying.
Missed opportunities and defensive stops could describe both teams. Columbus’ goal keeper, Gruenenbaum, had six saves compared to Matt Reis’ three. That particular statistic, though, speaks to the strengths of each team. While Columbus plays a more patient style of soccer the Revs wants to generate scorings chances. Another notable team improvement might also lurk, disguised in that low number of saves for Reis. Stephen McCarthy put in another solid shift at center back. AJ Soares did as well, as we have come to expect from the second year man. The final scoreline of 0-0 was the result of hard work by both teams defensive efforts. Both teams, Feilhaber and Renteria specifically, will want to have done better right in front of goal.
Improvement for Revs? Yes and no. While the second consecutive shut out is a nice accomplishment for a team that gave up frustrating goals, New England has to do better than conceding a road point to a conference opponent. The Revs next opportunity will come in Toronto, a cornered animal to be approached with cautious determination. I’ll review a bit of the confusing and erratic season for Toronto in my game preview. If Columbus was a team in a similar place, mid-table, then Toronto is decidedly behind the Revs. Dropping points by settling for a home draw will look worse if we also drop points in Toronto, but if we steal a victory then perhaps this draw won’t look as bad.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
