Revs Notebook 3/26
- Updated: March 26, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It’s not how you start the season, but rather, how you finish it that matters. So forgive the Revolution if they don’t appear perturbed about their inability to punch one through during their first three.
After coming nail-bitingly close on a handful of occasions against New York City and Montreal, midfielder Lee Nguyen is confident that the scoring drought is nearing its conclusion.
“We have guys here who are very creative and very dangerous,” Nguyen said. “Now, it’s just getting that chemistry back together, and now we have Juan (Agudelo) coming in, too, and he’s a new piece.”
That chemistry has been seen in spurts so far. Left back Chris Tierney has whipped in a number of balls into the box, giving the likes of Nguyen, Agudelo and Diego Fagundez the opportunity to find the back of the net. But those chances died on the vine, leaving the Revolution stuck in their current predicament.
“We can’t think about it too much,” Agudelo said. “The good thing that we do have is that we’re creating a lot of chances, and like coach Heaps said, we’re only inches away, not feet.”
Stability in the rear is also crucial to the club’s fortunes up front, according to Nguyen. With A.J. Soares gone, and right back Andrew Farrell moving over to center back, the five goals given up during the first two matches hasn’t exactly allowed the offense to loosen the reins.
“Shoring up the backline, and giving us chances to take risks going forward (is important),” Nguyen said.
If the Revolution are looking for an omen that the elusive goal is within reach, they only need look to Saturday’s contest vs. San Jose. After a remarkably similar start in 2014, the locals ended their scoring drought on a Victor Bernardez own goal before Nguyen scored the game-winner in stoppage time.
“One goal could go in and change the whole game,” Agudelo said. “So it’s not something we’re stressing about.”
BUNBURY WORKING HIS WAY BACK
One thing that hasn’t helped the Revolution snap out of their offensive funk is the absence of winger Teal Bunbury, who sprained his right shoulder in the waning stages of their first kick clash at Seattle earlier this month.
Fortunately for the Revolution, Bunbury, who led the club is assists last year (six), returned to training earlier this week, and said that his shoulder is “feeling good.”
“It’s at a point now where I’m able to train a little bit,” Bunbury said. “It’s not going to be 100 percent within the next week or two – it’s going to be nagging a little. But I’m trying to make sure it’s sturdy enough where I feel comfortable on the field.”
NOT QUITE A MASTER IN THE AIR
During Saturday’s draw to Montreal, Nguyen, who’s bagged the bulk of his goals using his right foot, was presented with a rare opportunity: the chance to score on a header.
In the 71st minute, Tierney crossed it inside the area for Nguyen, who had no choice but to use his forehead to steer it goalward. The headed shot came close, but ultimately sailed over the bar.
“That probably would’ve been my first in the pros – hopefully I can redeem myself this weekend,” Nguyen said with a laugh. “It was a great ball by Chris, and I have to finish that. That’s the difference between one point and three points right there.”
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