Revs Resolve Evident With Playoffs Approaching

Monday, October 13, 2014

Matt LaPan, GoLocal Worcester Sports Reporter

For the second consecutive year the New England Revolution will be playing in the MLS Cup Playoffs after clinching a playoff berth with a 2-2 draw in Montreal against the Impact on Saturday. Although the Revs sit near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, the 2014 season was not an easy road for the Revolution.

After starting the season with only one win in their opening five games, enduring a season-long slump from their star midfielder Diego Fagundez, losing key contributors Chris Tierney and Andy Dorman for extended periods of time and enduring an eight-game losing streak -- the Revs likely should not have been in the position they are in. Yet the resolve of the Revolution have led them to back-to-back playoff appearance for the first time since 2008-09.

The Revs 3rd-year head coach Jay Heaps has his squad playing inspired soccer as they approach the end of the 2014 regular season, especially his midfield. The Revolution midfield is one of the major reasons that they are in the position they are in -- led by MLS MVP candidate Lee Nguyen. Nguyen has consistently been an elite-level player en route to his team-leading 15 goals. Nguyen was joined late in the season by US Men's National Team star Jermaine Jones, which has sparked the Revolution to have just one loss in their eight games since joining the team.

The Revs, however, have fought through multiple problems in the midfield. The early-season struggles and injuries to Kelyn Rowe coupled with the season-long struggles of 2013 leading goal scorer Diego Fagundez forced the Revs to find another scoring option. The Revs were carried by Nguyen while Rowe, Fagundez and Teal Bunbury fought their way through attrition.

The Revs midfield has received a great deal of help from the back four of the Revolution defense. The Revs defense has struggled through injuries to Chris Tierney and Kevin Alston, but have received great seasons from A.J. Soares, Andrew Farrell, Tierney, Alston, Darrius Barnes and Revolution captain Jose Goncalves. The hard-nosed defensive style that Heaps has brought to Foxboro is a perfect match for the group

The Revs also found a mid-season spark in forward Charlie Davies. Davies has come in to be the every-match starter atop Jay Heaps' offense. Davies' past is well-documented, which makes his run atop the Revs offense even more impressive. His gritty play has helped open space for other scoring options such as Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones.

With the final two regular season games on the horizon for the Revolution, they are fighting for a top-two playoff seeding. But after watching the Revs throughout the 2014 season, fans know that the fighting spirit is nothing new for the 2014 New England Revolution.