Revolution get another result on the road, but D.C. United made it awfully hard to watch
The Revolution are not among the upper level possession teams, and they struggled against United. But the Revolution are at least trying to get there, and coach Caleb Porter has established an effective way of dealing with high-press defending. Against United, the Revolution took the lead on Ilay Feingold's goal in first-half stoppage time, and were on the verge of victory, Luis Diaz barely missing with a low shot just before the final whistle. But the Revolution were able to pass their way out of most situations against United; and the fact they have established a foundation for doing so means they should improve. Unfortunately, the Revolution do not compete in a dedicated venue with a well-groomed grass field to provide a stage for what has the potential to be a contending team. The Revolution might never win an MLS Cup — they are zero for five in finals — but they should continue to be a team worth watching.
Advertisement
FEINGOAL!!
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution)
Advertisement
As for United, with Christian Benteke healthy, the team can be dangerous. But one player can only do so much. Benteke led the league in scoring (23 goals) last year, but United failed to make the playoffs. A problem with United's incessant pressing mode is that it will never attract enough top-notch players to make a run at a league title. The team will find that few high-profile performers near their prime will ever completely buy into the philosophy. And, even should United's plans produce victories, how many really good players want to do all that running and destroying? What's the point? Savvy, skilled players are going to want to dictate tempo with the ball, which also allows them to conserve energy. If they are looking long term, it seems obvious that heady, sophisticated, possession-oriented soccer works in their favor in extending careers. Another drawback to all-out pressing is that there is nothing to fall back on if it is not working. Switching off and trying to, say, play a competent possession game after everyone's committed to a wound-up mindset, can be difficult.
Advertisement
The origin of United's style goes back to coach Troy Lesesne's time with the New York Red Bulls, and their connection to other Red Bull clubs in Europe. But there is no compelling reason to bring that method to the US. First off, there is no relegation in MLS, and there is no real penalty if a team performs poorly. So, if you're not threatened by relegation, why not encourage creativity and aesthetic-pleasing soccer? The US has plenty of hard-charging, physical athletes. What's lacking is guile, subtlety, tactical awareness, an understanding of how to pace the game ― many of the qualities that make soccer worth participating in and watching. After recent World Cups — men's and women's — observers noted the US team faults, and seldom did they mention lack of desire or willingness to run full speed for 90-plus minutes, even if that means chasing after craftier foes. Those traits are also abundant at the club level — there is no sense emphasizing them over all else.
'We knew it would be about direct play, crosses, long throw-ins, and set pieces,' Revolution coach Caleb Porter said. 'When you leave the margin at one, it makes it even tougher. Then, you're obviously in a compacted week where your guys aren't going to be quite as fresh mentally and physically. But it is difficult to deal with, no doubt, and we have to score the second goal.'
There were times when United, a mostly anonymous, uninspiring group, threatened. D.C. equalized via Gabriel Pirani in the first minute of second-half added time, snapping a 495-minute league scoreless spell dating to May 3. Meanwhile, the Revolution, who arrived a few hours before kickoff due to a flight delay (mechanical problems), mostly maintained their composure and tried to capitalize on United's over-aggressiveness.
Advertisement
Watching the contest, though, seemed like a chore. You have to think many spectators just wanted the match to get over — win, lose, or draw.
Jogo bonito 🇧🇷
— D.C. United (@dcunited)
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Scott McTominay's mistreatment at Man United made his Napoli heroics inevitable
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction and as the curtain fell on a historically bad season for Manchester United, players who have recently departed the club are left reflecting on glory and glamour. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson won the FA Cup with Crystal Palace, Jadon Sancho lifted the Europa Conference League trophy with Chelsea and even Tyrell Malacia, on loan at PSV Eindhoven, became a title winner in the Netherlands. Advertisement But one man stands head and shoulders above every other recent United departee; Serie A medal in one hand, Serie A MVP award in the other, Scott McTominay looms large over Europe right now. So much so that in a recent opinion piece The Athletic ranked the Scotland international as 8th favourite for the Ballon d'Or – placing him above the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane. They note his importance to an underdog title success story: 'Despite not boasting the squad strength of Inter, Napoli edged them to the title, largely due to Antonio Conte getting the best out of McTominay.' This prompts the inevitable question of how Conte was able to succeed in realising the player's potential where Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag all failed. Advertisement The Italian is certainly a world-class coach but is he such a horse whisperer that he can bend the ear of any workmanlike midfielder and conjure up a marauding one-man title charge? It seems unlikely, so we have to conclude that the raw materials for the 2025 version of Scott McTominay have always been there. That's much easier to understand. After all, something called to the Special One when he cast his eye over the United reserves in 2017, raising eyebrows at the time by overlooking other youngsters deemed ahead of McTominay in terms of development. His physicality and willingness to do anything for the cause were doubtless huge factors, and when Solskjaer took the reins at Old Trafford the infamous McFred pivot really took hold, pushing both of these traits to the fore at the expense of any others. Advertisement Alongside the industrious Brazilian, almost regardless of what he did McTominay was always one half of the butt of a joke, one half of the reason for United's poor form. It was a thankless role, no doubt mentally just as much as in terms of ability to impact matches, so when Ten Hag offered the opportunity for McTominay to push higher up the pitch it's little wonder he bloomed. Last season, under the Dutch tactician, the 28-year-old reached double figures for goals scored for the first time in his senior career, netting ten in all competitions – he is up there on his current pedestal with 13 in the bag. But despite scoring some crucial and memorable goals there was always the sense that it was a one-off, that it was a last resort tactic, that it was the equivalent of pushing Harry Maguire to centre-forward for the last five minutes and shouldn't be relied on. Advertisement Combined with United's chronic lack of saleable assets and desperate need to raise cash, the plucky overachiever who had no fixed role despite spending years in the squad seemed an obvious candidate to depart in the never-ending churn to get rid of 'deadwood'. That McTominay was identified as such is a shame but not a crime – hindsight is 20/20, and given the circumstances and attitudes at play in the last close season something had to give, but it is still disappointing that it was a future title-decider who left rather than a waning five-time Champions League winner. But then we come to the real crux of the matter. McTominay had been at United since the age of five and had never know anything else, had never even been on loan at another club. For him, football at the top level was only ever fraught with false aspersions and disjointed displays, was always about compromise and making do with your position however ill-fitted it might be. Advertisement Above all, to play football in red was always to be judged, studied and pilloried, to be the punchline even after scoring winning goals – the levels of scrutiny and pressure at United are unmatched and toxic, and claimed a victim in McTominay. The general Old Trafford malaise weighed him down, pushing the Scottish square peg into a round hole and, like a coiled spring, building up his potential energy. How wonderful for Napoli that McTominay's sweet release powered them to a Serie A title, but there is every chance he could have been a jet engine for anyone willing to take a punt. Feature image Francesco Pecoraro via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Iconic Carlos Tevez billboard recreated next to Manchester United's Old Trafford
The iconic Carlos Tevez billboard has been recreated as it was announced the star would be returning to Old Trafford. Striker Tevez famously sparked fury when he left Manchester United to join Manchester City in the summer of 2009, after a two-year loan spell expired. The Blues then rubbed their neighbours noses in it by paying for a huge sky blue advert on a billboard near Deansgate with an image of Tevez and the words 'Welcome to Manchester.' READ MORE: LIVE updates as air ambulance lands in Stockport READ MORE: Oldham murder investigation LIVE updates after man found dead Blues supporters lapped it up, whilst then-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described it as 'arrogant' and an example of a 'small club mentality.' Now 16 years on, the often-recreated billboard has mimicked once more, and this time just a stone's throw from Old Trafford. It was today revealed Tevez would again grace the Old Trafford turf at this year's Soccer Aid. The now 41-year-old, who last played for his boyhood club Boca Juniors and who retired in 2022, will feature for the Word XI team. The new advert, displayed on the digital advertising screen over the White City roundabout, less than half a mile from Old Trafford, says 'Welcome back to Manchester' alongside an image of Tevez and the date Sunday June 15, when the charity game is behind held. Created by Robbie Williams in 2006 and held annually at OId Trafford, the charity game, broadcast live on ITV, brings together celebs and footballing legends and has raised millions for UNICEF. This year, former Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury will be managing England, with United legends Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes also returning to Old Trafford. One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and businessman and podcaster Steven Bartlett join a stacked squad full of new faces including Joe Hart and social media star Angry Ginge. Ex-Reds keeper Peter Schmeichel is on the World XI coaching staff, while Edwin van der Sar will also return to Old Trafford as one of the visiting goalkeepers. Former Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci and AC Milan star Nadia Nadim are set to make their Soccer Aid bows. Among the celebs pulling on the World XI kit are Tobi Brown, Martin Compston, Richard Gadd, Gorka Marquez, Brian Habana and Tony Bellew. The same billboard near Old Trafford was used a fortnight ago by Liverpool fans to troll United supporters following their title win. An advert placed by Liverpool fan channel The Anfield Wrap said: "Manchester, Just 37 miles to the country's most successful football club." It came after they secured the Premier League title and drew level with United's tally of 20 top-flight championships.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mariah May Gone From AEW, Expected To Sign With WWE Imminently
Mariah May's time with All Elite Wrestling has come to an end. Former Women's World Champion Mariah May hasn't been seen on AEW programming since losing 'The Hollywood Ending' match to Timeless Toni Storm at Revolution back in March. Advertisement Numerous reports and rumors have been prevalent since then regarding May's status with the company. As well as potential interest from WWE after her contract expires. And as the old saying goes, where there's smoke, there's fire. Earlier this afternoon, May was officially removed from the AEW roster page. We now have more information regarding her future with WWE. According to Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp (via Fightful Select), Mariah May is expected to head to WWE imminently after her contract with AEW officially expires. Despite being removed from AEW's roster page, May's management has informed Sapp that her contract with the company has not yet expired. This departure wasn't a surprise to AEW as they were 'well aware' of May's intentions to depart the company for WWE upon the expiration of her contract. Advertisement The biggest question that remains is what brand May will wind up on after signing with WWE. Based on the recent roster call-ups, NXT could certainly use her on Tuesday nights. Stay tuned to WrestleZone for more information on Mariah May's WWE status as it becomes available. READ MORE: Toni Storm Compares Her AEW Revolution Match With Mariah May To A Breakup What do you make of this report? Are you looking forward to seeing what Mariah May does in WWE? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post Mariah May Gone From AEW, Expected To Sign With WWE Imminently appeared first on Wrestlezone.
