Back in Action
- Updated: January 31, 2015
Photo credit: New England Revolution
The New England Revolution kicked off the their preseason slate on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake in an 80-minute scrimmage played under cool and rainy conditions at Grande Sports Complex in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Charlie Davies scored in the seventh minute after pouncing on a Fito Avalle defensive gaffe, while newcomer Sean Okoli tallied in the 48th minute after sliding into a Tim Mulgrew cross at the far post. Sebastian Jaime brought one back for the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 63rd minute.
The Revolution will play their second scrimmage on Wednesday against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Grande Sports Complex.
Revolution Lineups:
(1st half): Bobby Shuttleworth; Chris Tierney, Jose Goncalves, Andre Farrell, Jeremy Hall (Donnie Smith 30′); Andy Dorman, Scott Caldwell; Kelyn Rowe, Daigo Kobayashi (Steve Neumann 30′), Teal Bunbury; Charlie Davies
(2nd half): Brad Knighton; Donnie Smith, Jacob VanCompernolle, London Woodbury, Jeremy Hall; Marc Fenelus, Tyler Rudy; Tim Mulgrew, Steve Neumann, Sean Okoli; Yuza Tashiro
Key trio absent: Midfielders Jermaine Jones (U.S.), Lee Nguyen (U.S.) and Diego Fagundez (Uruguay U-20s) are away on National Team duty. They will join camp in early-to-mid-February.
Agudelo en route: The Revolution did not have newly re-signed striker Juan Agudelo at their disposal for Saturday’s scrimmage. He’ll join the club in Arizona next week.
Hall starts at right back: New addition Jeremy Hall got the start on the right side of the back line. The 26-year-old has spent much of his seven-year MLS career as a midfielder, but was brought to New England via Toronto in order to shore up the right fullback’s spot. He exited the match in the 30th minute for, interestingly enough, the left-footed Donnie Smith, only to reappear at right back for the start of the second half.
Okoli stationed in the central midfield: Another new face found himself in a different position as Sean Okoli, a striker by trade, came on at the start of the second half slotted behind forward Yuzo Tashiro. The assignment didn’t appear to startle him, though, as he scored three minutes after the second half whistle.
Farrell and Goncalves partner in central defense: With A.J. Soares gone, Andrew Farrell got the nod alongside Jose Goncalves for the first half. Although the third-year defender played 10 games at center back last year, he partnered with Goncalves only three times. With chemistry crucial to a center back pairing’s success, it appears that Heaps is wasting no time trying get Farrell and Goncalves on the same page.
Trialist watch: The non-roster contingent came on at the start of the second half. Jacob VanCompernolle and London Woobury partnered in the central defense, while Marc Fenelus and Tyler Rudy partnered in the central midfield. Tim Mulgrew was stationed at left midfield, and assited on Okoli’s 48th minute strike. J-League veteran Yuza Tashiro featured up top. Goalkeepers Trevor Spangenberg and Joe Nasco were the only non-rostered players who did not appear in Saturday’s scrimmage.
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About Brian O'Connell
george
January 31, 2015 at 1:22 pm
why no alston or barnes? injuries?
Brian O'Connell
January 31, 2015 at 4:37 pm
@George, my guess is that Heaps already knows what he has with Alston & Barnes, so today’s scrimmage was finding out more about Hall, Smith and the trialists (as Peter alluded to). I think we’ll probably see both in Wednesday’s scrimmage
Adrian
January 31, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Team Bunbury!
peter
January 31, 2015 at 2:26 pm
George I would like to see Alston over Barnes at the fullback position Barnes can be slow and gives away a lot of fouls ? Isnt a pre season game away to see trailist soccer players if he is a good fit for the Revolution??
Brian O'Connell
January 31, 2015 at 4:44 pm
D’oh! Wish I could blame autocorrect on that one.
peter
January 31, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Hey there Brien are u away with the revs I was looking 4 a match report on bent musket and revolution.com??just wondering what about this kid that they picked up from Seattle he scored one of the goals today does he look sharp? I am also wondering if the revs are getting any players via sporting????
Brian O'Connell
January 31, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Hey Peter, I’m in snowy New England, but was able to pick up the pertinent info from today’s scrimmage via the Revolution and Real Salt Lake Twitter accounts. Given how difficult it is to put together a proper recap without watching it, I figured this format was the most appropriate way to go. But to answer your question about Sporting players coming here: I don’t see it happening now that Heldon is off the market. I think the Revs’ best shot at bringing someone here is to pluck somebody from their B-team. I did hear that they were looking at other players besides Heldon, but could not get who those players were. I’ll keep my ears peeled and report on anything I see/hear about potential loans.
peter
February 1, 2015 at 5:33 am
Good morning Brien thank u 4 the information I think myself it not a good fit being in partnership with sporting I will be very surprise if sporting send any players over to us on loan? Any idea how long is the contract with those guys ?? .the Revs would have been better going with a local ownership ie Liverpool or Roma or some other soccer well known soccer team
Robert
February 1, 2015 at 7:35 am
I agree with the idea of creating a partnership with AS Roma at some point especially with the notion that more Italian players are becoming more interested in MLS as a league of choice. As of now, though, Roma may already have an affiliation with another club. It would make alot of sense for the Revs since Roma does have local ownership.
peter
February 1, 2015 at 9:16 am
Robert Roma does have an afiliation locally with the ,Boston bolts on the acedemy side