Plenty of Room for Improvement

By Brian O'Connell
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Updated: March 17, 2015

Photo credit: New England Revolution

After opening the season with back-to-back losses and no goals to show for their efforts, the Revolution know there’s plenty of room for improvement going into Saturday’s home opener against the Impact.

For Revolution left back Chris Tierney, whose play was one of the bright spots in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to New York City FC, the squad must get back to the basics during training this week in order to get win no. 1.

“We’ll work to be better in possession,” Tierney said. “If we tighten things up defensively, then we’ll create more chances for ourselves, as well.”

Overall possession wasn’t the Revolution’s bread and butter during their last year’s season-ending run to the postseason. Then again, they had Jermaine Jones, a player who could win back the ball and quickly kick start an advance, at their disposal to counteract that.

Without Jones, who hasn’t yet returned to training following sports hernia surgery in February, the need to hold the ball – especially in the attacking half – has become more crucial to creating chances.

But improving meaningful possession isn’t the only item on the agenda this week – especially after conceding five goals across the first two games.

While much of the blame has been cast on the growing pains associated with the Andrew Farrell-Jose Goncalves center back partnership, Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth said that it’s up to everyone in the rear – including himself – to take the initiative to talk to one another.

“We have to be mentally be tuned in, and keep our organization,” Shuttleworth said. “There were a couple of times (Sunday) where the communication just wasn’t there. That’s on myself, and the other backs, to make sure we get tighter there.”

Keeping things tight in the defending half is one thing, but staying committed to stopping their opponent in transition is another issue that Tierney pointed out as a problem area during Sunday’s loss.

“I think we were a little too spread out, so these are all things we’ll work on this week,” Tierney said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a good result at home this weekend.”