Just about one year ago, the talk of the town was owner Bobby Craft’s ALLEGED, massage parlor scandal. Right then and there, I was OUT on the Revs. I slandered the Arenas hiring, letting go Nguyen, and especially the Carles Gil transfer. And for a while there, I was right. Then came mid-may, and boy was I wrong. I extend my sincerest apologies to the Kraft family, and the Revs.
The end of 2019 brought some hope to the Revs fanbase. Apart from finishing off the season incredibly, the Revs owner Bobby Craft accidentally got them a new training facility and locker room. Not only that, to begin 2019 they splash some of that Patriots money on Carles Gil, and later splurged on Gustavo Bou. This team is suddenly willing to spend, and it means NE Revs can contend this year, again (technically).
Bruce Arena the savior…
The Good: Bruce Arena worked the strangest spell and immediately went 9 games unbeaten. Carles Gil played like a mad man. Gustavo Bou made an impact immediately after his transfer in July. More importantly, NE didn’t really lose that many pieces this offseason.
The Bad: Back-to-back losses to Atlanta United are tough. Not that it’s bad losing to the best team in the conference. Yes, they played significantly better in the second game than the first. But it’s always tough to lose out to a team twice in a row. Also, Brad Fridel was let go 1 year too late.
New England’s Spongebob Gif:
This is Revs fans eating up all the “New England Revolution can be the official dark horse of the MLS.” With good reason. This is one of those teams that lost nothing and gained a lot. Not only in transfers but in, experience. It’ll be a full offseason under Bruce Arena, who knows a thing or two about MLS championship teams.
Offseason Moves
The transfer of Adam Buksa to join Gustavo Bou up top is so clutch. Again, it shows how much the club is willing to spend to compete for a championship? That move means Teal Bunbury play on the wings or come off the bench as a “super-sub.” And they’ve also done a good job plugging their holes on defense. All they needed was maybe to reinforce the midfield but they get all summer to do that.
Starting XI
A full season of Gil and Bou should be interesting. Add to that Buksa and Penilla opposite them should be nice to see. The real question here is can the middle of the field put together a good season. Will Caicedo, Zahibo, Farrell, and Kessler, be enough to compete with the power teams. Will it be enough to beat Atlanta United at least once this season?
Betting Odds
I like these odds. New England has an owner who all of a sudden decides his team is worthy enough to spend on. Like if he had a sudden relief of some sort. They have a roster with some quality players hungry for a win. Oh, and the most successful head coach the MLS has ever seen.
Best Watches
I am more than outraged that the New England Revolution have zero nationally broadcast games. While I do have ESPN+ (which I assume will give me access to some games?) most people do not. I want people to watch this team. I am hesitant to award them the “Must Watch Team of the Conference” but they sure are in contention.
I won’t bore you with their first game vs Montreal when Chicharito’s first MLS game is on the other side. So it’s best you watch their second game vs Chicago. I also don’t think they will face stern competition until April vs RBNY so that’s that. And give me ALL THE ATL REMATCHES!
Predictions
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFOracFClBg?start=19]
New England Revolution will be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. I think the midfield will crutch them some games, but not enough for them to drop out of the playoffs. I would like to slot them higher, and they should be, than 6th, but companies never become successful on lukewarm takes and do I have some bombs for you. As you may have gathered from the teams that haven’t been released.
Hey! If you hated this blog! You’re gonna hate the next 25 blogs! Be sure to check them out as I count down each MLS team from worst to first for 2020.