After scoring a brace Wednesday night against Vancouver, Kei Kamara’s performance Saturday will be key for Columbus against New England. Photo/Anne-Marie Sorvin (Columbus Crew SC)
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter picking up a valuable point on the road against the hottest team in MLS, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Black and Gold are once again on the road when they head to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Revolution.
There is absolutely no love lost between these two clubs, especially after their heated playoff matchup last season that ultimately resulted in the end of Crew SC’s season.
What to expect from New England
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Shuttleworth; Barnes, Farrell, Goncalves, Tierney; Caldwell, Dorman; Agudelo, Nguyen, Rowe; Davies
Form: L-L-D-W-W, 7 points, -2 GD
The Revolution have turned things around after a rocky start to their season, picking up seven points in the last three matchups. Left Midfielder Kelyn Rowe currently leads the Revolution with two goals on the season while supporters await the re-kindling of Lee Nguyen’s scintillating form from last season that ultimately landed him on the US Men’s National Team for a couple of appearances.
Charlie Davies hasn’t had the greatest of starts this season as well, registering just a single shot on net in the first five matches of the season, though he has been sharing time up top with Juan Agudelo. Diego Fagundez will ultimately see action in this match as well, especially with how often the Revolution rotate their sides.
Expect to see Caldwell and Dorman in the pivot, though Kobayashi could also spell either of them and get a spot start as well. The midfield of New England seems to have corrected their early season mistakes after they were blasted by Seattle Sounders FC 3-0 in the season opener.
The back four of New England hasn’t seen much rotation as well, with Farrell and Goncalves holding down the fort in front of Bobby Shuttleworth.
New England’s attack is one that starts and ends with Nguyen. The Revs want to get the ball to him and allow him to create their changes, whether he is attempting to feed the wings in Rowe, Agudelo, or Fagundez, or work it in up top to Davies.
If Nguyen gets going, it’s usually a pretty good day for New England. If he falters, then they’re almost always dead in the water.
What to expect from Columbus
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Clark; Grana, Parkhurst, Pogatetz, Francis; Tchani, Trapp; Finlay, Higuain, Meram; Kamara
Form: L-W-L-D, 4 points, 0 GD
Kei Kamara’s brace against Vancouver on Wednesday is a sign of good things to come for the MLS veteran. His work rate has been outstanding and is a much needed boost to this attack that was desperate for a striker in form last season. Nothing will change so long as Kamara is healthy as he is the go-to for the #9.
Expected back this week is Federico Higuain, who has finished his one match suspension thanks to a second yellow card for dissent in the match against NYRB. Crew SC did well in creating some chances in the first half of Wednesday’s match, but as the match wore on it because glaring obvious that he was missed in the middle and there really is no replacement for him at the #10.
Justin Meram will more than likely slot in out left, though after putting in a full 90 minutes on Wednesday, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Steindorsson starting out wide in that spot. Ethan Finlay looks to be tireless and should slot in out wide to the right.
Tony Tchani had a very up and down match on Wednesday, and his pairing with Trapp isn’t as crisp as it was last season, but that’s been due to a strange one match suspension and Trapp’s injury. Given time, their pairing will be back up to one of the best in the pivot this season. Trapp was subbed off at half time on Wednesday as he recovers from that injury, and Mohammed Saeid has proven to be more than capable as a replacement.
The back four have come under fire the last couple of matches, but even after surrendering two goals against Vancouver on Wednesday, it was a much better performance as Tyson Wahl slotted in next to Parkhurst.
There was no report of an injury to Pogatetz and he didn’t make the trip to Vancouver, so it’s assumed that this was done for rotational reasons. I expect to see Pogatetz back in his starting position alongside of Parkhurst. Waylon Francis should be ready to go after reportedly suffering a minor setback in training. If he can’t go, Jimenez will probably move to right back and Chris Klute will get another start at left back.
There wasn’t much Steve Clark could do about either goal he surrendered on Wednesday and played very well after coming up with a few key stops to secure the point on the road. As usual, he is the unquestioned #1 keeper and will continue to be that if he’s healthy.
Prediction
The quick turnaround from a midweek match to a daytime Saturday match is never a fun one. With just two days to recover after a trip to the west coast, Columbus was forced to do some rotating to try and stay fresh. Columbus will have their full arsenal available on Saturday, but the Revs will be more rested than the Black and Gold. This is always a toss-up between two teams that just don’t like each other, so any prediction can be proven true or false. I’ll predict a draw, though.
New England 2, Crew SC 2
