New England Soccer Today

Roundtable: Biggest Positive from #NEvMIN?

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

For the first time in nearly two years, the Revolution exploded for five goals in Saturday’s win over the Loons, and in front of the home crowd, no less.

With the Revolution’s impressive performance a reminder of how potent the offense can be, our writers give their takes on what the biggest positive from that match was.

Don’t forget – we also want to hear from you! What do you think was the the biggest positive was for the Revs?

Sean Donahue: Confidence. Goalscorers like Juan Agudelo and Kei Kamara thrive on confidence, so for the two of them to both open their accounts on Saturday was huge for the Revolution. Diego Fagundez also showed a level of skill and confidence on the ball not seen in the first two games, and with Lee Nguyen back in midfield the offense operated much more fluidly, albeit against a very weak defense. The confidence the offense will have gained by beating up on a weak Minnesota will be a needed boost going forward.

Greg Johnstone: The biggest positive coming out of Saturday’s match was the complete performance of the offense, which scored early and often. Revs didn’t just win on Saturday, they won big. After two weeks of little offense and no points through two games, the Revolution needed a commanding offensive victory and they delivered. Agudelo and Nguyen shined, Kamara notched his first goal, and Fagundez added an assist with 90.8 percent passing accuracy while drawing a penalty kick. Against a depleted Minnesota, loss, tie, or narrow victory wouldn’t have looked good for the Revolution, so for the offense to deliver a solid, no-doubt win.

Brian O’Connell: The biggest positive? Proof that Juan Agudelo belongs up top, and not in the midfield. Yes, the general consensus was that the striker’s assignment in the midfield was, shall we say, curious. But Saturday’s match erased any doubt. With Lee Nguyen serving as the no. 10 (finally), the Revolution offense hummed, and Agudelo notched his first brace in over two years. Granted, Agudelo and the offense weren’t exactly pitted against the best defense in MLS (or, perhaps, the NASL or USL, for that matter). That said, Saturday’s match was welcome reminder that Agudelo may wear no. 17, but he’s a no. 9 through and through.

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