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Consistency for the Revs

By Hector Lewis

Jul 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps before the game between FC Dallas and the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas shuts out the New England Revolution 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps before the game between FC Dallas and the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas shuts out the New England Revolution 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Revs ended the season in controversy last year. The playoff match versus DC United ended with the New England Revolution’s MLS cup dreams dashed. DC United was victorious in this match but the story was how Jermaine Jones made contact with the referee Mark Geiger. The reason why he was upset was due to a no-call of a handball in the box, which would have given the Revs a penalty kick.

Oct 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New England Revolution midfielder Jermaine Jones (13) is held back by teammates after receiving a red card against the D.C. United during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. D.C. United won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New England Revolution midfielder Jermaine Jones (13) is held back by teammates after receiving a red card against the D.C. United during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. D.C. United won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Both 2014 and 2015 were rollercoaster years. The difference in 2015 was the dips in this rollercoaster occurred at the tail end of the regular season. They ended the season with a 1-3-1 record in their last five matches.

Rollercoaster is a word that the Revolution wishes to have removed from their vocabulary in 2016. With their search of consistent form, the Revs might not have their Designated Player (DP) from 2015. First, due to the incident from the playoff match with DC United, Jermaine Jones has been suspended for six matches. Second, the Revs have not resigned him for the 2016 season as of yet. In addition, Jones was upset about the offer the Revs offered which he stated to Jeff Carlisle from ESPN, “…at the end of the day I told them I wasn’t happy with the offer, and that the offer wasn’t with the right respect, given what I did for New England. I told them, ‘if you really want to talk, then you have to come up with something [better].’ It has to show value, what I did for the club and for the team.” As of this time, both parties have not reached a deal.

“at the end of the day I told them I wasn’t happy with the offer, and that the offer wasn’t with the right respect, given what I did for New England. I told them, ‘if you really want to talk, then you have to come up with something [better]”

The Revs did reach a deal with new DP Xavier Kouassi from FC Sion in the Swiss Super League. The Revs have stated he is not a replacement for Jones but Kouassi does a play a similar role. He will not join the team until the end of the Swiss Super League, which is in the summer of 2016.

With the signing of the new DP, New England is also bringing back their core. Diego Fagundez had interest from Europe but decided to resign with the Revs. In addition, Juan Agudelo, Charlie Davies, and 2014 MVP candidate Lee Nguyen are all returning. 4-2-3-1 will continue to be the formation of choice, which has been a mainstay for the last couple of years.

Oct 25, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New England Revolution midfielder/forward Lee Nguyen (24) celebrates his goal during the first half against the New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New England Revolution midfielder/forward Lee Nguyen (24) celebrates his goal during the first half against the New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

With the addition of Kouassi, this may give the Revs more structure to their formation as Kouassi is known more as a stay at home defensive midfielder. This will give the attacking pieces of the team the confidence to move forward. Consistency is the key for the Revolution in the 2016 season.

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