New England Soccer Today

Dorman & Caldwell Both Rise to the Challenge

Photo credit: Corbin Elliot/Prost Amerika

Photo credit: Corbin Elliot/Prost Amerika

Going into Saturday’s match in Colorado, Revolution coach Jay Heaps wanted to see his team employ a possession-oriented approach early on. But to do so, Andy Dorman, who hadn’t started since First Kick, would have to rise to the occasion.

With Daigo Kobayashi sidelined due to a hamstring strain, Heaps plugged in Dorman, and the veteran central midfielder didn’t disappoint.

“I thought Andy was really good,” Heaps told the media after the match. “I think we challenged those two, Andy and Scotty, because in Seattle, we didn’t love the way they matched up. Tonight, they were much better.”

Pressed into the lineup for the first time since the Revolution’s season-opening loss to the Sounders, Dorman collected a team-high four interceptions and completed 72.2 percent of his passes. Partnered alongside Caldwell, who connected on 82.9 percent of his passes, the duo was able to absorb pressure and stifle the Rapids in the middle of the park.

By staying faithful to their defensive duties, the Revolution were able to protect the early lead they secured thanks to Juan Agudelo’s wunderstrike.

“Scotty and Dorman really held that lead for us,” Revolution midfielder Kelyn Rowe told the media after the match. “They’re pulling guys back and making sure nothing’s going through and at this elevation.”

Playing at altitude certainly took a toll on the Revolution. Jose Goncalves had to come off in the 67th minute for an undisclosed injury that Heaps said had been bothering the center back as the game went on. Additionally, Heaps told the media that there were some “tired guys” in the locker room following the match.

Despite the physical toll, Rowe believes the squad held up long enough to keep the sheet clean, even though the Rapids certainly threatened during the second half.

“You don’t want to go crazy running and pressing because you’re not going to last long,” Rowe said. “These guys know what it’s like, so it was good for us to keep the shutout, it’s huge.”

It was also quite a departure from the last time Dorman and Caldwell were partnered together, a game in which the Revolution were on the opposite end of a shutout. With the lessons learned from that 3-0 loss in Seattle, the duo was able to put together a solid performance and help their club capture its first win in Colorado in nearly 13 years.

“We did really well,” Rowe said. “Credit Scott and Dorman for sitting in the hole and winning second balls and making sure we were clearing our lines.”

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