New England Revolution: Tajon Buchanan making an impact at right-back
By Daniel Garza
Tajon Buchanan has been thriving for the New England Revolution at right-back
It’s been an incredible 2020 playoff run by the New England Revolution. The Eastern Conference club are just one match away from reaching the MLS Cup final and have shocked the league by upsetting favorites Philadelphia Union and Orlando City on the road. One of the key contributors throughout the successful playoff run has been Tajon Buchanan. The Revolution right-back has been phenomenal since moving to his new role.
Buchanan began the season as an attacker but was moved to right-back only recently by Bruce Arena. This positional change has proven to be a great move as Buchanan has been devasting opposing defenses. A few of his impact moments include scoring a key goal against the Union and drawing a penalty against Orlando City to help achieve victory. He’s been getting the job done offensively and defensively and it’s helping his club immensely.
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A devasting pace and creating chances
By using his quick pace, Buchanan has been able to devastate opposing defenses. According to Football Reference statistics, he had a progressive distance of 98 yards against the Montreal Impact, 178 yards against the Union, and 125 yards against Orlando. These statistics show the ability he possesses to move the ball down the field and help generate opportunities for the Revolution.
When it comes to creating opportunities he has done very well. Against the Impact, Buchanan had three shot-creating actions and one-goal creating action. In the upset victory against the Union, the right-back registered two-shot creating actions and one-goal creating action. Following that performance, Buchanan recorded three-shot creating actions and two-goal creating actions against Orlando.
In total, Buchanan has played a role in four of the Revolution’s seven goals during this playoff run and he has shown no signs of slowing down. These statistics speak for themselves as they show the impact Buchanan has had on recent results for the Revolution. He’s getting the job done for Arena and the Revolution.
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One of the best young players of the playoffs
Buchanan has certainly been one of the best young players of the MLS playoffs. At just 21, he is only in his second season in MLS. He was drafted by the Revolution in 2019 and is making his first playoff appearances of his career. In terms of having an impact on the outcome of matches, there have not been many other players under 22 who have been able to do what Buchanan has. He is beginning to emerge as one of the top up and coming talents in the league at right-back.