MLS: 5 Lessons Learned from the Revs' Loss to the New York Red Bulls
MLS: 5 Lessons Learned from the Revs' Loss to the New York Red Bulls
Well, that didn't go too well.
Despite losing Thierry Henry in the 23rd minute with a hamstring injury and Mehdi Ballouchy who seemed to pick up a knock later on in the game, and despite fielding a vastly inexperienced team, the New York Red Bulls hung onto Henry's 7th minute goal to win 1-0 at Red Bull Arena against the New England Revolution on Saturday.
New England failed to score on rookie Ryan Meara and the makeshift back four that coach Hans Backe assembled before the game, even though the Revs dominated the second half.
Here are some lessons we learned today after watching the Revs lose their third straight game.
Thierry Henry Offensively Carries New York
Thierry Henry is one of the best finishers in the game, hands down.
The goal he scored today was cheeky, skillful, and picture perfect. Matt Reis had zero chance.
When Henry was helped off the field due to a hamstring injury, the Red Bulls' attack sputtered and died, despite having workhorse Kenny Cooper and speedster Dane Richards on the pitch. An overwhelming majority of the second half was played in New York's half.
There was no longer a focal point for New York's attack, no one for Cooper and Richards to feed the ball to and send through the middle of the park.
New York was lucky that Henry scored when he did.
Saer Sene and Lee Nguyen Are Going to Be MLS Studs
Sene's two goals and lone assist so far this season do not do him justice. The Frenchman has been the catalyst for the Revs' offense since the beginning of the season.
He constantly confounded New York's shaky defense today, displaying fleet footwork and keen awareness.
Alongside him on the wing was Nguyen, who constantly terrorized Brandon Barklage and Connor Lade on the wings. He continually made runs down the sidelines, through the middle, in and around the penalty area.
These two, along with Kelyn Rowe and Benny Feilhaber, represent one of the most dangerous attacks in MLS.
Too bad none of them can score consistently.
Kelyn Rowe Shouldn't Have Come Off; Benny Feilhaber Is Still a Little Rusty
I love this kid. I love his pace, his energy, his tenacity. He loves to play football.
He would've had a killer second half. Instead, Jay Heaps took him off and replaced him with Benny Feilhaber, who is just coming off an injury.
If Benny were healthy, I kinda would've understood this move. Instead, Benny was a sloppy passer, constantly giving up possession right as the Revs would mount an attack. His bright spot was when he had a free header—straight at the keeper. Not only that, when Meara bobbled the shot, Benny had already given up.
Rusty.
I can almost guarantee Kelyn would've scored had he stayed on.
Ryan Meara Is, and Will Be, New York's Number One for Years
Meara posted his first MLS shutout of his career, and it won't be the last.
The rookie goalkeeper looked confident, poised, and determined not to watch his net bulge.
He had five saves on the day, including a blast from Ngyuen in stoppage time. It was his job to keep his back four, who had 11 combined MLS starts between them, in line and focused, something that even the best goalies couldn't do.
Meara performed admirably, and if I were Hans Backe, I would hold onto the youngster for a long time.
Thank God the Revs Play Colorado Next
The Colorado Rapids sit second-from-bottom and they are riding a three game losing streak as well. This is exactly the matchup the Revs need to get back to winning ways.
The Revs will be looking to get back on form at home against a Rapids side that is struggling. Granted, their three losses came at the hands of the Galaxy, Seattle, and Real Salt Lake (three very good sides), but hey, losses are losses.
Here's to Sene adding to his goal tally.