Saturday’s game had everything: a sending off, great goals, great saves, and a ‘Caps 4-3 victory over a good New England team.
So what did we learn?
Kenny Miller
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<b>Miller makes magic to get 'Caps level</b> |
There was great concern about the key defenders we’re missing and how we’d cope without them.
Well the answer to that proved to be Kenny Miller.
Two goals down early on and in dire straits, Kenny took it upon himself to right the ship and play some inspired soccer. Wearing the captain’s armband once again, he got us back in the match by getting in behind the defence, forcing the defender to foul him – which resulted in a red card and penalty converted by Camilo.
And for those doubting the legitimacy of the foul, I say this – there is no way a striker like Miller is going down untouched in front of goal with the ‘keeper at his mercy. It was a foul.
From there Kenny went on to score two spectacular goals that secured another victory for the boys and kept our unbeaten home streak.
We’re 4W-1L-1D when Kenny starts and averaging an even 2 goals per game when he gets on the field, compared to 1.36 goals when he doesn’t.
It’s fair to say that Kenny is making a big difference this season.
New England
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<b>Revs young guns combine to give them early two-goal lead</b> |
Sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due, and this New England team is fast, young, and very exciting.
There was a quote from head coach Jay Heaps that the first 20 minutes of this game was some of the best soccer they have played this year.
And it sure looked like it as they appeared to be a team playing with a ton of confidence. And why not, especially after hammering MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy 5-0 a couple of games ago.
While our players were critical of our second half performance – being up a man – you have to give it to this Rev team. They were very comfortable in possession and have a number of good attacking players.
This is a team to keep an eye on as I see them playing in many more entertaining games this season.
Home field advantage
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<b>Miller brings crowd to their feet with brilliant volley</b> |
We are still one of three teams in MLS to remain unbeaten at home (Montreal and Dallas being the other two) and that is something to brag about.
And when you look at the teams that have travelled to Vancouver, they’ve almost all come into the match on top form – including this New England team who were unbeaten in their past seven matches overall.
Martin Rennie preached when he came here that he wanted to make BC Place a fortress and we certainly have done that.
It was an amazing game on Saturday and the near sellout crowd was fantastic again as they drove our boys on to another victory at home. It’s become a very fun place to be.
