| 02 April 2011
After finishing last season with a 9-5-16 record, the New England Revolution are off to a hot start in 2011. The team currently boasts a 1-0-1 record that includes a draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy and a home win against DC United. Both the LA Galaxy and DC United are quality clubs that will more than likely be competing for the MLS Cup and, although two games is a small sample size, the Revolution appear to be markedly improved this season.
The main player the Timbers will be tasked with shutting down will be midfielder Shalrie Joseph, who has already scored two goals and added one assist through two games. He is currently only one of two MLS players this season who has been involved in every one of his club’s goals, the other being San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski.
Joseph has been instrumental in leading the offense in a new 4-5-1 formation that the team implemented earlier this year. Said Joseph, "It's a formation we still have to work on. We've only been playing it for the last three weeks so we have to work out the kinks."
Even with the kinks, it’s been working out well for them so far, and the Timbers should have their hands full in what will be their third straight MLS road game to open up the season. Once this one is over, however, the Timbers will return home to play two consecutive matches at JELD-WEN Field on April 14th and April 17th.
Goalie Jake Gleeson will be making his first official MLS start today. In the US Open Cup qualifying match against Chivas USA earlier in the week, Gleeson recorded a shut out and made multiple game-changing saves to help seal the win. Even though Gleeson is only 20 years old, he has the skills necessary to thrive and Coach John Spencer doesn’t think age should matter if a player is ready to compete. Spencer had the following to say about Gleeson’s performance to date:
“He’s doing his job very well right now. I don’t know how long Troy’s going to be out, I don’t know how long Adin’s going to be out, but right now we’ve got Jake in the goal and we’re pretty confident.”
If the team hopes to return home with a win, the forwards are going to have to start scoring more goals. Through two games, they’ve only recorded one, a late game strike against Colorado by Kenny Cooper. So far, the chances have been there, but making the most of those chances and turning them into goals has been a problem.
Spencer thinks they’re almost there, but that the missing ingredient might be luck. He said, “The forwards have had good looks at goal, [but] we’re just not having that little bit of luck in front of the goal. That’s usually the last thing that falls into place.”
He also added, “We need to have a little bit more quality on the final pass, from wide players and midfield players in general.”
Notes:
Rookie Darlington Nagbe could possibly make his MLS debut today. After missing the last month because of a sports hernia, he has been cleared for full practice and will be available to play. If he does make an appearance, it will most likely be as a late game sub, however, as the team will try and work him back slowly.
photo: portlandtimbers.com
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