Oppo Research: 5 Things about New England Revolution

In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Jake Catanese of The Blazing Musket to learn more about New England Revolution, New York City FC's opponent at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Here is your NYCFC vs New England Revolution preview.

1. New England had a busy transfer window

Hudson River Blue: New England had a massive overhaul this winter, bringing in Leonardo Campana, Jackson Yueill, and Ignatius Ganago after selling Giacomo Vrioni, Esmir Bajraktarević, and Xavier Arreaga. How do you rate New England’s offseason moves, and do you think the club did enough to find success this season?

Jake Catanese: The New England Revolution were very aggressive this past offseason on both the trade and international market. Being able to build up a financial war chest with major transfer sales like Matt Turner, Tajon Buchanan, Đorđe Petrović, and most recently Bajraktarević gave the Revs a lot of opportunities. Campana being one of the biggest GAM trades ever along with Luca Langoni acquired late last year really should give New England a boost in the attack...should being the operative word. We'll also get to the new centerbacks and defensive unit as well, but overall it was a good offseason for the Revs.

New England absolutely has to make good on their win-now assertions from last year and should have done enough on the roster-building end for that to happen. Missing the playoffs again would be a massive disappointment for a team that has all but squandered the momentum from the Shield-winning campaign just four years ago. I'm not saying the Revs should be better than Miami or Columbus, but they should be able to compete for a playoff spot, well above the play-in line. Being eight points back of the Union after losing to them in just Week 3 of the season should be setting off massive alarm bells in Foxboro and with a pretty difficult March schedule still to play, it might not get better anytime soon.

2. New England is yet to score this season

HRB: Speaking of new signings, New England’s attack has struggled for the last two seasons. The Revs have yet to score a goal this year in three matches. How much of a concern is this to you?

JC: The Revs offense has been a concern ever since Bruce Arena left. Caleb Porter's possession-based system was far too slow and ineffective last year, and it left Giacomo Vrioni stranded and starved for the ball. This year has fared no better as the Revs generally fail to get the ball into their opponent's penalty area at all let alone in a good scoring position. The Revs rank last in MLS in shots on target, on-target shooting percentage, and expected goals according to the league metrics and I'm sure the other analytic sites have them faring no better. It's the same problem as last year with the Revs getting the ball out wide and having no options with their lone striker against a set backline.

If the Revs are going to break out and start scoring goals, it needs to be on the counterattack, getting Carles Gil and the wingers running at a backpedaling defense. Easier said than done, but the Revs are rarely even trying to play directly and are wasting any advantage they might get by winning the ball back on defense. The Revs, however, do look much improved on set pieces compared to last year, where they were woeful on deliveries, especially corners.

3. The defense is the biggest strength

HRB: On the positive side of things, New England has only conceded three goals in three games, recording one clean sheet. Do you think the defense could carry New England up the Eastern Conference?

JC: If there is one thing we know the Revs got right this offseason, it was at centerback. Brayan Ceballos in particular has been tremendous with a Team of the Week performance in the season opener against Nashville, and Mamadou Fofana is passing at a 90 percent clip with a decent number of long passes in there as well. The centerbacks definitely are helping Porter's system work as far as starting the build-up play, but it's getting lost in the attacking half. If the Revs can get more line-breaking passes from the CB duo and the holding midfielders Jackson Yueill and Alhasan Yusuf, I think the Revs will be on to something going forward.

The Revs are also better in the air from last season but I'd still hesitate to call that a strength, but they're no longer actively bad at the aerial stuff. Fullback remains a little bit of a work in progress with youngster Peyton Miller out, Will Sands also being unavailable early on meant forcing new signing Ilay Feingold right into the starting lineup with not a lot of preseason camp time as he sorted out his paperwork but he's been fine. I think Miller's speed on the flank is sorely missed in particular as his ability to take on defenders 1-v-1 can open up opportunities elsewhere but the Revs need better play out wide from their wingers and fullbacks regardless of who is out there.

4. The X-Factor: The pitch

HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?

JC: The baseball field. Yankee Stadium serves its purpose for NYCFC but it's a dreadful thing to watch. The smaller confines might actually force the Revs to be more direct which I think suits them better. But the Cityzens just have a tremendous advantage playing on that thing cause they do it more than anyone else and I for one can not wait for Willets Point so I can catch a Braves/Revs doubleheader.

5. Predicted score, Starting XI

HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?

JC: Assuming Campana's knock from last week keeps him out, Urriti gets the start up top. If there was ever a breakout game for FC Nantes loanee Ignatius Ganago, this would be it if he can take advantage of that target winger role Teal Bunbury was really good at. Porter hasn't really used his bench a lot so far, but this game will likely scream for the youngsters Noel Buck and Jack Panayotou if the Revs are pressing for a goal in the unfriendly outfield confines. I still don't see a win here, but the Revs' defensive organization still shines through until a weird pro-Pigeon bounce allows NYC to capitalize and win 1-0.