Revs Notebook 3/19
- Updated: March 19, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Jay Heaps isn’t looking at last year’s final table to gauge the strength of Saturday’s opponent. And with good reason.
Yes, the Montreal Impact may have finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2014. And yes, Frank Klopas was fielding a host of young, unproven players at the time. But 2015 is a new year entirely.
“They’ve only played one game in the league,” Heaps said. “I think you have to look at what they’ve done in the Champions League, and they’ve looked quite strong.”
Whether it’s strength (beating Alajuelense 2-0 in Wednesday’s semifinal first leg) or luck (scoring a stoppage time goal to eliminate Pachuca), the fact is the Impact’s current form is a far cry from last year’s showing in the league. And it’s no accident.
With his club eliminated from postseason contention long before Labor Day last season, Klopas focused on building a strong Champions League campaign. He added veterans such as Dominic Oduro, Bakary Soumare and Eric Alexander, then drafted Princeton striker Cameron Porter. Now, they’re 90 minutes away from a ticket to the tournament final.
But even though the Impact will be eyeing an opportunity to become the first MLS team to reach a Champions League final since 2011, Heaps doesn’t think that’ll distract them from the task at hand on Sunday.
“I’m sure they were preparing for both games,” Heaps said. “They’ve got a deep team and they’re going to be ready to go whether it’s with the same lineup or have a couple of changes.”
HOME SWEET HOME
After starting the season with back-to-back road games at a pair of hostile environments, there’s no question that the Revolution are relieved to be back at Gillette Stadium for the next two weeks.
In fact, after conceding five and scoring zero during their first two, Heaps mentioned just how important it is for the club to be back on familiar turf.
“We need them,” Heaps said of the next two home dates. “We have to go out there and dictate (and) make it a tough place to play. That’s when we’re at our best; it’s when Foxborough is a tough place to play.”
Last year, the Revolution were 11-4-2 at home during the regular season, and went unbeaten in their final 12 home games, including the postseason. It was during the playoffs in which the true effect of the home support was felt, as a combined 52,982 turned out for the club’s conference semifinal and final matches.
“We’re looking forward to the home opener and getting back in front of the Revs fans, who were so good last year,” Revolution midfielder Andy Dorman said. “It’ll be good to be at home.”
WASN’T PART OF THE PLAN
Although Juan Agudelo started up top for the first two matches, Heaps told the media prior to training on Thursday that the original plan was to put Charlie Davies at striker to start the season.
But after Davies tweaked his calf prior to First Kick, a less-than-fit Agudelo had to answer the call in Seattle and New York.
“We’re getting Juan fully back integrated in how we want to play, and things we want to do,” Heaps said. “Ideally, we would’ve had – Charlie would’ve been healthier. But Charlie took an injury early, and both of them are fighting for minutes and fighting for fitness, as well.”
ONE LAST OVERTURE?
During Wednesday’s Season-ticket Holder Welcome Event, Heaps told the audience that the club nearly brought back veteran A.J. Soares prior to the start of the season.
The Revolution coach acknowledged the same during Thursday’s media access, but kept his answer short on the details of that situation.
“Before he signed (with Norway side Viking), we tried to have another contract conversation,” Heaps said.
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