Ahead of Sporting Kansas City's trip to face New England, SportingKC.com caught up with Revs beat writer Kyle McCarthy to preview #NEvSKC. Live coverage of Saturday's match is available on 38 The Spot (KMCI-TV), SKCTV, 99.3 FM, and La Grande 1340 AM.
The Revolution have won three of four league matches. What’s been the key to the team’s late season resurgence?
There are a number of factors at work here, but there are two principle reasons for the uptick in form. The first is in defense: the Revs aren't leaking as many goals as they did earlier in the season. By improving in defense, they have laid the foundation to commit more numbers forward in their revamped 4-4-2 shape. The extra runner from central midfield and the extra forward up top allow the Revs to pose a more consistent threat.
What can we expect to see from New England forward Juan Agudelo, who has two goals and two assists in his last four MLS matches?
Lots of diligent work on and off the ball. Agudelo is thriving because he is mining the spaces between the line and stringing together sequences in the attacking third. His contributions -- including his willingness to close down quickly when the Revs are out of possession -- are vital to the Revs' playoff hopes.
How would you assess New England’s season up to this point?
Consider it an exercise in frustration. This campaign loomed as an opportunity to continue the steady progress made over the past few years. It dissipated into a salvage mission instead. There is still plenty of talent within the ranks and there is still time to rescue a playoff berth, but the inconsistent form and the suspect performances for long stretches leave little margin for error.
What are your thoughts on Sporting KC’s this season?
SKC has done a reasonable job of navigating through a particularly complicated season. MLS teams aren't designed to withstand the absence of several starters for long periods of time. Only five players have started at least 20 of the team's 31 games this season. Matt Besler and Graham Zusi have made 34 appearances combined. And yet SKC enters the home stretch with a playoff berth within grasp. It is a credit to Peter Vermes and this group of players.
What players and match-ups will you be focusing for Saturday’s match?
Keep an eye on Benny Feilhaber as he navigates through midfield. New England switched to a diamond in midfield several weeks ago and trusted Gershon Koffie to serve at the base of it. Koffie's injury in the Open Cup final defeat at FC Dallas left the Revs short in that department. The likely return of Kelyn Rowe (infection) offers the Revs another option to provide more cover.
Finally, any predictions or thoughts on the match?
After D.C. United's victory over Columbus in midweek, the Revs are basically left with the task of running the table in their final three matches (v. SKC, at Chicago, v. Montréal) in order to make the playoffs. Expect them to show that level of desperation as they attempt to keep their season alive.
