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Orlando City SC Vs New England Revolution: 3 things to watch for

By Connor Dittmeier

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 04: Orlando City midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) kicks the ball away from New England Revolution forward Cristian Penilla (70) during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and the New England Revolution on August 4, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 04: Orlando City midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) kicks the ball away from New England Revolution forward Cristian Penilla (70) during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and the New England Revolution on August 4, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – JUNE 2: New England Head Coach Bruce Arena prior to the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS match against New England Revolution at the Dignity Health Sports Park on June 2, 2019 in Carson, California. New England Revolution won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – JUNE 2: New England Head Coach Bruce Arena prior to the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS match against New England Revolution at the Dignity Health Sports Park on June 2, 2019 in Carson, California. New England Revolution won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

1. Will the New England Revolution turnaround continue?

The New England Revolution have had a tumultuous start to the 2019 campaign and subsequently find themselves in 11th in the Eastern Conference. However, they are only three points back from a spot in the playoffs.

Following the removal of Brad Friedel as manager in May, the club has not lost a match, with the exception of a friendly against Chelsea. The hiring of former USMNT head coach Bruce Arena has seemingly breathed new life and confidence into the side. During his introductory press conference, Arena said:

"“It’s not going to happen in the next two weeks. But I’m confident over the next couple of years that we can make very good progress and make this team much more competitive. Everything will be here to be successful.”"

It appears as though he has exceeded his own expectations since taking over at the club. Obviously, it is still too early to claim the Revolution have turned a corner, but the side has held its own against some of the best clubs in MLS. They have taken down the LA Galaxy, the New York Red Bulls, and held onto draws against D.C. United and the Montreal Impact. In the four games he has been officially in charge, the Revolution have only conceded four goals in competitive play. That is a far cry from the 18 goals given up in the four games prior to Friedel’s dismissal.

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The attack is still struggling to put the ball in the back of the net, but the defensive holes that were sinking the ship have been plugged, for the time being. While the implications of a win might not be immensely gratifying, the club that gets the result will find itself in the quarter-finals of the competition. A win will not only aid in the rebuilding of New England’s confidence, but could also turn that confidence into results as the fight for the playoffs inevitably heat up over the coming months.

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