Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Revs Stadium Review

I was contacted by someone from StadiumJourney.com about posting a link to their site. I had never heard of the site but from what I've seen, they write reviews about all sorts of different stadiums and arenas. They even cover the AHL!!! How can you not love a site that covers AHL arenas? There's actually a reason behind that statement and maybe one day I'll expand this site a bit to include that.

Anyhow, the article covers the game day experience of someone who does not sit in the fort, and I don't think this person usually goes to games. I don't agree with everything in the article, infact I disagree quite a bit on a rating or two, but it was interesting to see how a non supporter feels about the game day experience.

Here it is.

-Andrew

Monday, August 27, 2012

Toja picked up by Revs

Juan Carlos Toja has come back to MLS and was picked up today by the Revs. You may remember him from his time with Dallas, where he did quite well. So well infact that he earned a move over to Romania where he played for two seasons before going over to Greece. He had a solid run over in Europe and he is already familiar with MLS, which is why I am a bit concerned. Back when the MLS Rumors site (which reported on stories from reputable sources) was around last year there were a few reports out of Greece and Columbia that stated MLS clubs were interested in Toja. In these articles Toja stated that he did not want to return to MLS where "they would break my legs", with one article even claiming that he took a 50% paycut last year to stay with his Greek club. Unfortunately I cannot find these articles as the site has been down for quite some time, so you'll have to take my word on this.

So this is a bit concerning, a year ago he wanted nothing to do with MLS and now he's back, probably for some big money. If he's here for the money and his heart isn't in it, then this could be a very bad expensive singing. We don't need any more players here who don't want to be here.

On the other hand, if he does want to be here then we have a player who is 27 who should be in his prime. He has good vision, can attack and can even do a little defending in the midfield. He could be a great compliment to Simms, which would allow Feilhaber to either play up top behind a forward or play on the wing. I'd like to see the Revs maybe try a 4-4-1-1 with Feilhaber playing behind a forward. Perfect time to try it.

So, if the Revs did their job, interviewed Toja and learned that he really wants to be here then this is a very good signing.

If the Revs didn't do their homework, which they have been guilty of in the past, then this could be another disaster.

-Andrew

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Andrew Sousa Signs with Operario

Former Rev Andrew Sousa has signed on with Portuguese third division side Operario. You can check out the team page at zerozero.pt. Sousa never got a chance with the first team here which is a shame. A talented offensive player who was from the area (he's from Fall River, MA) who grew up watching the Revs, and from what I hear some other team that I prefer not talk about. For whatever reason he never got a chance last year, which is a bit of a mystery as we had a pretty big problem scoring goals.

He spent this past summer playing for the Boston Victory in the PDL. Operario is probably a pretty good place for him. They are located in the town of Lagoa, just outside the main city of Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel. He's from Fall River, so there is a good chance his family is from Sao Miguel. Operario is a small club, even by third division standards, but has done very well the past few years consistently finishing in the top half of the table. The team is playing in the Central zone (the third division is split up into three zones.) and Operario should have a solid squad. This might be a bit too optimistic but I expect them to be in the hunt for promotion to the second division. Hopefully he can use this opportunity to move up to the second or first division, a move like that is not uncommon. Sao Miguel has a team that is a regular in the second division, Santa Clara, which has signed many players from Operario in the past.

Operario begins the season this weekend when they play in the first round of the Taca de Portugal at home against Vila Real and they begin the regular season on September 2 away at Tocha.

-Andrew

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The year so far

At some point this morning I decided that I needed to write something about the current Revs season, then about 5 minutes later I found out that Joseph was traded to Chivas USA in order to clear cap space. Instead of writing about the trade, I'm going to focus on the original intent of the post.

Points wise the Revs aren't much better than last year, however the Revs play soccer this year which is a big plus. The Revs try to attack and are watchable, something that can't be said about their last two seasons. I am a fan of Jay Heaps. I think he's brought the right mentality to the team. They play to win. Last year the Revs tried to tie every game, not attack, and hope that the other team didn't score and that they could get a lucky bounce, score and win the game.

The fact that the last two seasons were complete failures makes this season look like a complete success, but it hasn't been. The team still has some holes and it's going to be pretty tough to make the  playoffs, which sadly I don't see them making. As I've said before I am a fan of Heaps but there are a few things that I'd change.

Lets start with Rowe, who was a high draft pick. He has shown a few flashes of what he can do but for the majority of the season he has been invisible. There have been many games where I didn't know he was playing. I'd see or hear his name when the starting line ups were announced and then I'd hear it again when he was subbed off and be like "Rowe was playing? WTF? Where was he?" He's a rookie, going from college to the Pros is a huge step up and he needs time to adjust. I just think we have better options at the moment if we wanted to make a run at the playoffs.

Left back is still an issue. We need a true left back. I thought Polak was going to be some serious competition for the job, we even saw him get some minutes in San Jose. If those Bocanegra rumors are true I'd love to see him at left back for the Revs or even center back. However, I am glad that Barnes has for the most part not started at left back. Like I have said many times before, he is a good player but he's not a left back. I'd love to see him get some more minutes at center back.

We still don't have a stadium and have not heard anything. Wasn't there some guy on Fox 25 talking about a 18-24 month time table for an announcement? I'm pretty sure we've hit that mark and no news. Is anyone really surprised by that? Is anyone actually surprised by the embarrassing attendance this year? Yeah, Heaps has nothing to do with this but it's still an issue that is really keeping this franchise from succeeding. Yes, that's right, the Revolution are a Franchise in case you didn't know.

This post is probably coming off as negative and I don't mean it to be. I've actually had a pretty good time watching the games this year, which can't be said about the last two seasons. I think Heaps is doing a good job. Yes, I disagree with some things he does but that's how it usually goes. I'm sure he would do same if we reversed roles. I just hope the team continues to improve and get some more pieces in place during the offseason so that we can make a run at it next year. Or who knows, maybe we get hot and win the rest of our games, make the playoffs and win MLS Cup this year. McWorld!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey it could happen.

I'm rooting for a Maritimo win tomorrow!

-Andrew