The New England Revolution have scored just 26 times this season and five of those goals have been from the penalty spot. In all, the Revolution have been awarded six penalty kicks this season and each has had a major impact in the outcome of the game.
Scoring only 26 times this season has placed the Revolution second to last in the Eastern Conference with a steep mountain to climb if they hope to make the playoffs this year. The Revolution are currently nine points from the last playoff spot, as they have won just four times in 26 games. But what would happen if we were to take the Revolution’s five penalty kick goals completely out of the equation?
Disaster. Those five converted penalty kicks are the reason the Revolution aren’t the worst team in the league. Those penalty kick goals are so pivotal, that if they hadn’t happened, the Revolution would have just 16 points- worse than the current worst team in the league: Vancouver (expansion team, 18 points).
In fact, the last time the Revolution won a game at home was on May 14 against Vancouver. And that match was won by a penalty kick.
Staking that much on penalty kicks is both dangerous and ineffective. And it’s proven to be ineffective because the Revolution have struggled so much with scoring goals in the run of play. The team is suffering from a lack of service from the flanks, an inability to control possession, and the fact that no true goal scorer has emerged to take up the mantle of Taylor Twellman.
The acquisitions of Milton Caraglio and Benny Feilhaber have been positive for the team. And the Revolution are hoping that once freshly-signed Moroccan winger Monsef Zerka arrives, service from the flanks will be better.
But with the playoffs all but out of reach, the Revolution will need to look for future reinforcements so that the penalty kick isn’t the only thing keeping them above water.
- March 26 v. DC (2-1 win), without PK, 1 point
- May 14 v. VAN (1-0 win), without PK, 1 point
- July 4 v. RSL (3-3 draw), without PK, 0 points
- July 23 v. COL (2-2 draw), without PK, 0 points
- August 6 v. CHV (3-2 loss) without PK, 0 points
I generally agree with what you’re saying, Julian – the Revs attack has gone completely possum this year, and they’ve been fortunate to convert PKs into points. But, you also have to take into account the PKs they’ve conceded as well. They conceded one against D.C. so that’s still three points if you eliminate all PKs. Same thing at Colorado – it’s still one point if you eliminate Shalrie’s and Folan’s. Plus, the PKs for/against is identical – six attempts, five goals. So, it actually evens out if you look at both ends of the spectrum. PKs benefit all teams, not just the Revs.
Oh, and I forgot – Salt Lake point total stays the same as well, they also got a PK (Saborio).
The main thing is this: their attack has been worse than so-so all year. And too many results have relied on penalty kick goals. Sure they’re part of the game, but this team has to find other means to get the ball in the net.
I definitely won’t argue with you on that. Look forward to the piece on Parky!