American Soccer Now’s Brian Sciaretta takes a glance again on the 2014 MLS postseason, and he—largely—likes what he sees. Particularly, he’s bullish on the longer term prospects of the New England Revolution.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
December 08, 2014
12:46 PM
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1. A Becoming farewell to Donovan
Whereas Landon Donovan’s farewell to the U.S. nationwide workforce in October was an unpleasant affair marred by the distraction of his poor relationship with Jurgen Klinsmann, Donovan’s MLS sendoff was nearly good. His workforce received its fifth MLS Cup, he received his sixth, and the American icon acquired to go away on his phrases in entrance of his residence followers.Donovan will likely be remembered for 2 issues: his nationwide workforce success and his choice to forego everlasting European choices to as an alternative play in MLS. It wasn’t a preferred choice amongst some American soccer followers but it surely helped cast Donovan’s identification, in addition to the league’s.
Not like the defunct North American Soccer League, which drew big crowds in its day, MLS was constructed on the again of American gamers and Donovan gave the league an American face. If MLS ever rises to prominence as a serious league on this nation, Donovan may have performed a serious function getting it there. It is solely becoming that he ought to hoist one other trophy on his final day as skilled.
2. The Convention Finals Have been Higher
Sunday’s MLS Cup ultimate was not the prettiest sport to observe and each groups performed tentatively early on. The Revolution specifically appeared hesitant and sloppy, and the primary half was significantly forgettable.
It’s not the primary time a cup ultimate has let down observers—the Champions League would not all the time a barn-burner—however after MLS loved a record-setting season by way of attendance and the U.S. nationwide workforce superior out of a tough group on the World Cup, MLS Cup 2014 did not precisely put an exclamation level on the 12 months.
Soccerwise, the 12 months simply kind of trailed off…
3. A blended bag for Chris Tierney
Chirs Tierney almost grew to become one of the unheralded heroes in MLS historical past. If New England had managed to win, he most absolutely would have been lauded for his contributions throughought the postseason. As a substitute, his playoff run ended on a bitter observe.
Tierney sparkled within the Japanese Convention sequence towards the New York Pink Bulls, and his two assists helped push the Revolution excessive and into the MLS Cup ultimate. Tierney’s proficient left foot was on show as soon as once more Sunday, as he scored a second-half equalizer on an excellent particular person effort to pressure additional time. After that aim, the Revolution grabbed the momentum and almost received the competition on a Teal Bunbury chip that hit the submit.
However then all of it got here crashing down: Tierney was liable for retaining Robbie Keane onside within the 111th minute for what would grow to be the game-winning aim. New England had been each efficient in containing Keane your complete sport but it surely was Tierney’s mistake that allowed the MVP to search out one second the place he might work some magic.
Make no mistake, Tierney had an awesome playoff run. And educated New England followers will acknowledge that they need to not come down too onerous on the Massachusetts native. Sure, he made a vital mistake in a vital second, however with out his sterling effort all through the playoffs, the Revolution wouldn’t have made it to the ultimate.
4. Gyasi Zardes comes up huge
Whereas Tierney got here up brief for the Revolution, the Galaxy’s Gyasi Zardes was the native child who acquired to elevate the trophy. It was an essential aim for the Hawthorne, California, native who scored 16 objectives through the common season however had not discovered the again of the web since September.
Zardes, 23, will now take momentum heading into subsequent season—and extra will likely be anticipated of him. With Donovan gone and Keane one other 12 months older, Zardes must shoulder extra goal-scoring tasks.
Additionally noteworthy, Zardes will doubtless be referred to as in to the January U.S. nationwide workforce camp, and due to his sturdy end he can now put together to carry out for Klinsmann with the wind at his again.
5. The Revolution will likely be again
New England got here up brief however it is rather straightforward to see Revoltuion because the workforce to beat subsequent 12 months. Los Angeles will likely be with out Donovan, a veteran-dependent Seattle workforce will likely be one other 12 months older and seeking to change speedy fullback DeAndre Yedlin, and the way the Pink Bulls reply within the offseason is anybody’s guess.
The Revolution, however, have a ton of upside. Jones, 33, regarded just like the fittest athlete on the sphere Sunday afternoon, and the majority of the squad is simply approaching its prime. MVP candidate Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe, Scott Caldwell, Teal Bunbury, Charlie Davies, Diego Fagundez, A.J. Soares, Kevin Alston, Patrick Mullins, and Chris Tierney will all be of their twenties when subsequent season begins.
That’s fairly a core if normal supervisor Mike Burns can preserve it collectively via the approaching enlargement draft and collective bargaining negotiations.
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Observe him on Twitter.
