Ugh. I think it's fair to say that LA is a more talented team, but five MLS Cup losses is still a bitter pill to swallow for this franchise. Nonetheless, the Revs built momentum on and off the field in 2014. It is important that they keep it up next year.
Smiling Joe Hesketh said:
What was the logic of subbing out Davies? Did I miss him getting a knock?
Davies tends to get gassed late in games. I thought Mullins played surprisingly well and did a lot of good little things outside of the assist.
Smiling Joe Hesketh said:
EDIT: I just saw the replay of the winning goal several times. That was some atrocious defense by the Revs. Three guys not even moving when the ball was played to Keane. A total breakdown in tactics and coverage. Unbelievable.
The Revs defense has been responsible for too many nervy moments. The team was a bit lucky that the Red Bulls didn't capitalize on all their chances. I'm disappointed but not surprised to see something like this happen in MLS Cup.
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Rowe has been a disappointment down the stretch. He gives the ball away too cheaply and seems to the lack the confidence in attack that we've seen from him in the past. I do think that part of the problem is that he belongs in the center.
I thought that this game needed Diego Fagundez, who wound up on the bench for the entire playoffs. When Nguyen was too battered to continue, it would have been the ballsy move to push Rowe inside and have Fagundez attack on the flanks. Instead, Dorman came on which was the conservative move, sapping the central midfield of creativity.
The team was clearly dying late in extra time, and it was brutal that two of our three "fresh legs" guys were Dorman and Kobayashi. I can't help but feel that Heaps made a mistake there.
Great atmosphere at Parlor Sports, by the way.