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MLS Week 1: First impressions of all 24 teams

By Christopher Dodson

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC's head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: Los Angeles FC's head coach Bob Bradley prior to Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – FEBRUARY 26: Carles Gil smiles after a pass during New England Revolution practice inside the Empower field house at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – FEBRUARY 26: Carles Gil smiles after a pass during New England Revolution practice inside the Empower field house at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

New England Revolution

Carles Gil showed his value in bagging the equalizer and road point for New England. Brad Friedel believes he has found an attacking midfielder he can work with in Gil and, so far, the experiment looks to have potential. The goal was more route one and confusion in the box, but Friedel will take an unimpressive road point to start the season.

Edgar Castillo is an upgrade at left-back and his passing broke through the FC Dallas midfield several times. Castillo as an attacking threat will help Gil find favorable spots in the final third instead of carrying the ball from midfield. Brandon Bye and Antonio Delamea Mlinar inspire far less confidence at center-back, however.

Scott Caldwell and Wilfried Zahibo were overrun at times in midfield. Where they were tasked with slowing traffic and distributing balls into the opposing playmakers, both failed in merely winning the ball back. New England held only 31% possession, in large part because Caldwell (0 fouls) lacked in his aggression and Zahibo was yards out of position for interceptions. The Revs had 24 fouls total, making Caldwell an outlier on a pressing team.

Juan Agudelo and Teal Bunbury have reached their ceilings. Agudelo is far too dependent on perfect service while Bunbury needs a better first touch to play in the middle or up top. Friedel’s team has a likely season ceiling of ugly and dull games in hopes of reaching the final playoff spot. With a crisis at center-back, the Revs are more likely Wooden Spoon candidates.

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