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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