SAN JOSE, California – For the New England Revolution, Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes was something to build off.
The single point earned didn’t push the Revolution back into the playoff places in the Eastern Conference, but the result did snap a four-game losing streak. The shutout quelled recent defensive issues. And the performance offered a reminder of what this group is capable of ahead of the final eight games.
“We lost a couple games at home and I think we should’ve been able to do better, so coming out here, I think the guys came out and battled well,” said Andrew Farrell. “I think it was important that we got the shutout. It’s been the first time in a while that we’ve got a shutout.
“It’s good going forward, going into a tough environment at the Red Bulls (on Sunday). We’re going to need to keep building on this performance.”
Farrell moved back into the middle to partner Je-Vaughn Watson on a somewhat makeshift Revolution backline that also featured Kelyn Rowe making his second career start at right back. Those adjustments were made with Jose Goncalves injured and London Woodberry suspended.
Perhaps most importantly, the backline was shielded by a rejuvenated Gershon Koffie, who was energetic and tenacious at the base of New England’s diamond midfield setup.
“I think Gershon had a big role tonight, and I thought our two center backs, both of them haven’t played a ton of center back since we moved Farrell more to right back and Je-Vaughn has been left and right back,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “The two of them rolled up their sleeves.
“It was a team performance, but I was really happy with the three guys I just mentioned.”
Koffie’s presence in front of the Revolution’s center backs allowed Heaps to make a tactical shift, partnering Juan Agudelo (and later Teal Bunbury) with Kei Kamara in a two-striker system. It was a departure from New England’s typical setup, which has most often flanked lone striker Kamara with a pair of wingers.
The change didn’t produce a goal on Wednesday night, but Kamara did see another effort hit the post – his sixth shot that’s caught the woodwork this season – and it was clear that the Revs grew more comfortable with the system as the match progressed.
“It’s not easy to change up systems during a season, [especially] if the team has only been playing one system,” said Kamara. “But we were able to cope with it pretty fast.
“It definitely took a little bit of pressure off me, really, as a single striker. Having me and Juan up front, or me and Teal up front, it kind of balanced it and balanced the chances we got.”
New England’s challenge now is to continue to grow into the system ahead of Sunday afternoon’s trip to Red Bull Arena for a nationally-televised meeting with the New York Red Bulls as part of Major League Soccer’s Heineken Rivalry Week (2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN).
While the Revs were pleased with their performance against the Earthquakes, they know that their performances will need to yield goals – and wins – in the immediate future if they want to extend their run of consecutive playoff berths to four.
“When you go on the road long distance, playing on Saturday and coming here (to San Jose) to play Wednesday, you take your point,” said Heaps. “But at the same time, we need to start getting more points.”
