Revolution look to get back on track vs. Whitecaps
The New England Revolution will try to avoid its pet peeve Saturday.
The number two.
The Revs (5-4-2) hope to maintain their success in avoiding two straight losses this Major League Soccer season as they visit the struggling Vancouver Whitecaps (4-5-4). New England will try to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Columbus last weekend.
"I think what we've been doing all season long is, following a difficult result, sticking together as a team, going out there and outworking the opponent -- sticking together as a unit," Revs striker Teal Bunbury told reporters. "I think those are going to be big keys for us. We know Vancouver's a good team and we know we're playing on the road, but we have a talented group of guys. And, as long as we stick together, we're going to be able to get three points."
Saturday's contest will be the first of six games in 15 days for the Revs. New England has won its last two meetings with the Whitecaps. Vancouver has only one win in its last eight games.
But New England coach Brad Friedel is wary of Vancouver's habit of scoring goals on counter-attacks and making multiple crosses.
"They cross, on average, the second-most balls in the box of any team, especially on the left-hand side with (Marcel) de Jong," Friedel told reporters.
The number two is also a prevailing theme with the Caps these days. Vancouver has earned three straight 2-2 draws.
"We showed we can come back from behind and work hard until the last minute," de Jong told reporters. "We're a team that never gives up. I think it shows character."
While the Revs target de Jong, Vancouver coach Carl Robinson wants him to show more character.
"He's excellent on the ball," Robinson told reporters "He has great quality. Tactically he understands the game . . . whether he plays central areas or wide areas.
"What I need him to do a little bit more is believe in himself. I still want that (extra) five percent from him - which makes him a top left back in this league."
--Field Level Media
