ASN: Purple Bulls vs. Revolution Highlights MLS Weekend

The New York Purple Bulls have but to lose this season. The New England Revolution’s Jermaine Jones has barely misplaced in his MLS profession. Which group will prevail on Saturday?

BY

Brooke Tunstall

Posted
Could 02, 2015
2:10 PM

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THE LAST TIME THEY MET, these two Northeastern rivals had been gunning for a spot in MLS Cup. Once they conflict this weekend, the New York Purple Bulls and New England Revolution will achieve this as two of the most popular groups in Main League Soccer.

When historical past, geography, and present type are all factored collectively, Saturday’s Revolution-Purple Bull tilt at Gillette Stadium (7:30pm ET, MLS DirectKick) is our selection for the Recreation of the Week.

After a tumultuous offseason that noticed legendary Frenchman Thierry Henry retire and fashionable head coach Mike Petke changed by Jesse Marsch, the Purple Bulls had been an enormous query mark coming into this season. However the group enters Saturday’s recreation with a 3-0-4 file—the one unbeaten group in MLS. 

In the meantime, after its scorching finish to final season and the re-acquisition of prodigiously proficient Juan Agudelo, the Revolution entered this season as prohibitive favorites to return to MLS Cup. ANd, after all, the membership promptluy misplaced its first two video games and wemt scoreless in its first three. However Jay Heaps’ males have put that stumble behind them and are on a six-game unbeaten run (3-0-3) that has showcased its offensive and defensive talents.

Together with D.C. United, these I-95 rivals are in a logjam atop the Jap Convention and Saturday’s “six-pointer” might make a distinction come playoff time.

THE SUBPLOTS

Whereas the Purple Bulls have but to lose this season, tonight it is going to face a participant—U.S. nationwide group stalwart Jermaine Jones—who has misplaced simply as soon as in regulation in 18 MLS video games (together with the playoffs). The German-American missed the primary three video games of this 12 months and it’s no coincidence New England bought off to a gradual begin with out him. 

Jones simply has that “it” issue that the Revolution feed off and he elevates each the arrogance and stage of play of his (largely) a lot youthful teammates.

With Henry having fun with retirement in Europe, the Purple Bulls haven’t any such chief. However what it does have is excellent group chemistry, and stability, that it lacked within the Henry Period. As we reported beforehand, the Purple Bulls locker room is a a lot happier one with out Henry griping about how issues weren’t as much as his admittedly excessive requirements. In consequence, the group if enjoying with out concern.

Sooner or later, perspective and chemistry and confidence solely go to this point, however between the Revs’ hovering confidence and the Purple Bulls enjoying unfastened with out Henry, for now each groups have a method that’s working.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Between Agudelo, Charlie Davies, Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe, Teal Bunbury, and Diego Fagundez, the Revolution have as a lot depth and ability in assault as any group in MLS, maybe ever. When Heap goes to the bench, there is not a lot of a drop off, gamers like Bunbury and Fagundez have been simply as harmful as subs as they’ve as starters.

These attackers present a stern check for even the most-experienced defenders in MLS—and the Purple Bulls’ 19-year previous Matt Miazga, who has began 5 straight video games in the midst of protection, will not be precisely a wily veteran.

Miazga has had just a few shaky moments however not more than some other younger heart again and has often performed far above his age. However he additionally hasn’t been challenged by the extent of ability and depth that the Revs will throw at him Saturday. How he handles this check will go a great distance in figuring out how this recreation goes.

Lest we overlook, the Purple Bulls’ assault isn’t precisely timid both. Bradley Wright-Phillips is the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner and this 12 months he’s added playmaking (three assists already after simply two a 12 months in the past) to his goal-scoring prowess. 

Teamed with speedy Lloyd Sam and former U.S. worldwide Sacha Kljestan, this trio might be harmful in their very own proper and can check a Revolution backline that has seen third-year participant Andrew Farrell settle in at heart again following a tough begin after switching from the flank.

With former MLS defender of the 12 months Jose Goncalves prone to miss the sport nursing a calf harm, Jones figures to start out alongside Farrell for the third straight recreation.

THE X-FACTOR

For all New England’s ability and depth, the unheralded Chris Tierney is usually the important thing to its assault. Tierney, who often begins at left again however often pushes into a large midfield function, is the Revs’ unsung hero, averaging 5 assists the previous 4 seasons. He hits an excellent useless ball and is equally harmful overlapping into the assault. 

If the Purple Bulls key an excessive amount of on stopping the likes of Nguyen and Agudelo, it creates area for Tierney’s crosses, that are among the many finest in MLS. (Had been he a smidge quicker, he’d most likely be within the combine for the U.S. nationwide group.)

PREDICTION

The Purple Bulls performed Colorado to a bodily 1-1 draw Wednesday evening then needed to journey to New England. Whereas the journey isn’t that far, mixed with the midweek recreation and enjoying final Sunday, it makes for 3 video games in every week so Marsch’s males are prone to have some drained legs. Mix that with the Revolution’s type and the magic contact that Jones has and this one appears prefer it goes 2-0 to the house group.