After a breakout victory under new manager Marko Mitrovic, the New England Revolution will look to ride their momentum into their match at St. Louis City on Saturday.
The Revolution (1-2-0, 3 points) emerged in a big way last week with a 6-1 win over visiting FC Cincinnati. They matched the team record for most goals in a game, last accomplished in 2004.
It also was the first win for Mitrovic as a head coach in MLS. Last year he guided the U-20 national team.
“After this game, I kind of feel it can help us believe more in ourselves,” Mitrovic said on Thursday.
It also was a breakout for Luca Langoni, who had three assists — including two on corner kicks. He was a part-time starter the last two seasons for the Revolution.
Defender Brayan Cellabos came forward with headers on two set pieces to record the first brace of his MLS career.
“It has been a huge mindset change from the first two games,” midfielder Brooklyn Raines said. “The win over Cincinnati has been major for the team and we just want to build off that.”
By contrast, St. Louis City (0-3-1, 1 point) still are seeking their first win as they have scored an MLS-low one goal.
For St. Louis City, the numbers don’t add up. In their last two matches, St. Louis City recorded a 31-25 advantage in shots and 17-6 in corner kicks.
They had the best of it much of the way Saturday in a 2-0 loss at undefeated Los Angeles FC.
“It’s frustrating in terms of just the feeling you have leaving that game and, wow, we probably dominated them for 50, 60 minutes,” midfielder Chris Durkin said. “It was really, really encouraging but we have to be smarter.”
First-year coach Yoann Damet said he likes the progress he’s seen on the defensive end but there’s a lot of work to do offensively.
“I want to see more commitment in going forward and closing the box and attacking,” Damet said.
Mitrovic said that St. Louis will pose a “great challenge.”
“They’ve had much better performances than the results that they’ve had,” Mitrovic said.
–Field Level Media
