FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Plenty of questions swirled around the New England Revolution’s backline this past week building up to Saturday’s home opener against the Montreal Impact. Captain and center back Jose Goncalves was suspended and right back Kevin Alston was sidelined by a hamstring injury, leaving two significant gaps in the Revolution’s rearguard.
But veterans Darrius Barnes (center back) and Jeremy Hall (right back) answered any lingering questions about New England’s depth by stepping in seamlessly and helping the Revs shut down the Impact in a 0-0 draw.
“It was obviously a theme for us this week; you lose two starters from the last game and you’ve got to make some adjustments,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “I really thought Darrius and Jeremy came in and did a great job.”
Heaps was particularly happy with how his team kept its defensive shape when in possession, knowing the Impact would absorb pressure before trying to hit on the counterattack. The Revs limited the visitors to just two shots on target and two relatively simple saves for Bobby Shuttleworth.
Saturday’s clean sheet was a welcome relief after conceding five goals through the first two games in Seattle and New York City, but there was still frustration at the attacking end of the field as the Revs were shut out for a third straight game to kick off the season.
“Things aren’t clicking the right way,” said Heaps. “I’m not worried yet because we’re having chances. I think if we weren’t getting any chances (it would be different), but I felt like the last two games we were dangerous. We’re missing by inches, not by feet.
“I’m happy with the chances we created, we just need to make sure we finish them.”
New England’s next opportunity to break through will be next weekend when they host the San Jose Earthquakes at Gillette Stadium, and while the Revs are frustrated at their lack of goals through the early going, they’re confident that they’ll find the scoring touch in the coming weeks.
“The guys in our locker room, obviously heads were down because we felt we left a couple points on the table, had opportunities and had a couple clear chances and didn’t take advantage,” said Heaps. “But we have to take the positive and keep moving forward.”
