The New England Revolution bowed out of the 100th U.S. Open Cup, 3-1, to D.C. United Wednesday evening. The Revs, coming off a bye week in the MLS schedule, played a good portion of its rested first team against United. The result was far from what was expected, seeing as DC is last in the Eastern Conference and the two sides battled to a scoreless draw only a couple of weeks ago. New England leaves the competition two rounds from silverware and the Promised Land.
The fact that the Revs made it this far after having poor showings in this competition the past few seasons should be considered a win to Revs supporters; I know there are some grinding their teeth over departing the competition. Sure, everyone wants a trophy (I'm reminded of this as an Arsenal supporter). Not everyone can. Challenging for one is, in my eyes, considered important, and the return to respectability should also be taken into account. The process of returning to respectability in Major League Soccer is a long one, and the Revolution are making strides toward that goal. Yes, this is me being the optimist. Debate that as you will.
Now, what next for New England?
The Revs sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, tied on points (20) with sixth-place Columbus. New England's recent form notwithstanding, it's the upcoming run-in which will test the Revs' mettle and, hopefully, give New England a solid run at the playoffs.
Revs run-in:
Saturday, at Chivas USA
July 6, home with San Jose
July 13, home with Houston
July 17, at Colorado
July 20, at Columbus
July 27, at DC United
The hope is that out of those 18 potential points, the Revs claiming 12 isn't out of the realm of possibility (Chivas should be a win on paper, should win at home; draws, at the very least, for those final three matches can be considered good results). Expecting 18 out of 18 over the course of the next 30 days is simply setting one's self up for disappointment. I'd be happy with nine points, even though it would set up a brutal August. Getting those 12 points should put New England in prime position for the dog days of summer and the final stretch of matches leading up to the playoffs.
We'll review in 31 days' time.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Why the Revs should consider a match at BU's Nickerson Field
Last night, the New England Revolution beat the New York Red Bulls, 4-2, in front of 2,500 at the small football pitch adjacent to Harvard Stadium. It was the club's first true foray inside the Route 128 belt, and by all indications, it was a rousing success: the club sold all of the tickets available, and the match was a W. The Revs move on to the fifth round in the US Open Cup, where they'll play DC United at, you guessed it, a small pitch outside of the Beltway on June 26.
Supporters have always wanted a soccer-specific stadium a little closer to Boston instead of playing in cavernous Gillette, a stadium that would have access to the T; this little SSS carrot is usually dangled in front of the supporters around season ticket renewal time, then disappears the rest of the season. Gillette doesn't have the access, and the MBTA doesn't extend Revs supporters the same courtesy as they do to Pats fans in the way of Commuter Rail service from South Station. There are always the logistical issues that come into play--where would they play in a cramped, nearly 400-year-old city?--and, in this typist's eyes, are used as excuses. Last night's "sell out" should show the Revs' front office that there is interest in the club inside the 128 belt, and that the time has come for the excuses to stop.
There is one stadium that could handle a Revs crowd, and would make a sell out much more palatable to the eyes.
It's called Nickerson Field. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Nickerson, on the BU campus, seats 10,419 or so: Four times as many as the little pitch off Soldier's Field Road, and if temporary seating is installed behind the goals, could be even larger. Has Green Line access--stop complaining about the Green Line; it's the line with the most character in the T's system--and isn't far from downtown. There is bus access. Parking sucks, but then again, parking sucks all over Boston. And right now, with the kids gone until Labor Day, it would be a perfect time to bring the world's game deeper into the city.
If the Harvard experiment was a test, the Revs and Revs' supporters passed it. It's now time to experiment further with a stadium that has held big games, and has easy access for the supporters.
Supporters have always wanted a soccer-specific stadium a little closer to Boston instead of playing in cavernous Gillette, a stadium that would have access to the T; this little SSS carrot is usually dangled in front of the supporters around season ticket renewal time, then disappears the rest of the season. Gillette doesn't have the access, and the MBTA doesn't extend Revs supporters the same courtesy as they do to Pats fans in the way of Commuter Rail service from South Station. There are always the logistical issues that come into play--where would they play in a cramped, nearly 400-year-old city?--and, in this typist's eyes, are used as excuses. Last night's "sell out" should show the Revs' front office that there is interest in the club inside the 128 belt, and that the time has come for the excuses to stop.
There is one stadium that could handle a Revs crowd, and would make a sell out much more palatable to the eyes.
It's called Nickerson Field. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Nickerson, on the BU campus, seats 10,419 or so: Four times as many as the little pitch off Soldier's Field Road, and if temporary seating is installed behind the goals, could be even larger. Has Green Line access--stop complaining about the Green Line; it's the line with the most character in the T's system--and isn't far from downtown. There is bus access. Parking sucks, but then again, parking sucks all over Boston. And right now, with the kids gone until Labor Day, it would be a perfect time to bring the world's game deeper into the city.
If the Harvard experiment was a test, the Revs and Revs' supporters passed it. It's now time to experiment further with a stadium that has held big games, and has easy access for the supporters.