
Revolution's latest loss exposed their desperate need for a finisher, a hole they won't easily fill
That leaves Tomás Chancalay and Maxi Urruti up front. Both are proven to be effective alongside a physical striker or off the bench, but the Revolution are missing the combination of aerial threat, back-to-goal presence, and opportunism of, say, Cincinnati's Kévin Denkey and Kei Kamara, who displayed their effectiveness Saturday as Denkey converted after Kamara's holdup play ignited a counterattack.
Advertisement
Kévin Denkey puts it away to give
📺
— Major League Soccer (@MLS)
Denkey has 11 goals this season. Kamara has 146 in his MLS career, including 19 during a two-year stint with the Revolution.
Advertisement
After the match, coach Caleb Porter noted the Revolution needed a 10-goal 'minimum' striker and talked about 'find[ing] that guy, whether it's here or somewhere else.'
Unfortunately, they have not been able to uncover a double-figure forward since 2021, when Adam Buksa (16) and Gustavo Bou (15) helped the team set a league record for points. The Revolution lost Buksa via a transfer to Europe, and Bou declined due to injury. (He was replaced by Chancalay, who underwent knee surgery last year.)
Placing scoring hopes on Campana was a gamble, though he appeared ready to break out after filling a reserve role with Inter Miami. He was one of only two forwards which have achieved double-figure goals in an MLS season, his 11 in 2022 going with Urruti's 12 in 2017 and 10 in 2014.
Against Cincinnati (10-5-3, 33 points), second place in the Eastern Conference, the Revolution attacked effectively on the flanks, but without a prominent target crosses were easily stopped by a back line led by Matt Miazga. Yes, they might have been able to finish off a low cross (as Cincinnati did), but crossing effectiveness depends on a combination of factors. Aerial ability is, obviously, primary.
Luis Diaz was used as a starter and on the attack on Saturday due to Caleb Porter's options being severely limited.
David Silverman/New England Revolution
The Revolution also had chances to break through via set pieces — they earned eight corners and 13 free kicks — but mostly were unable to get off effective shots. Plus, Luis Diaz got a 52nd-minute breakaway, but could not pull the trigger.
The Revolution need to adjust their mindset at Gillette Stadium, as opposing teams' tactics become based on physicality and counterattacking. While the Revolution were threatening early in the second
half, Cincinnati focused on stopping sequences before they could get started.
Advertisement
Seconds after Diaz's breakaway, Luca Orellano was cautioned, and Pavel Bucha committed a hard foul on Carles Gil. The play could be described as negative, but also as resourcefulness.
All season, the Revolution have defended well and demonstrated a decent possession game. Near the halfway point, they rank second in the league in goals against (15), and their plus-4 goal difference is better than Cincinnati's (plus-2), indications of a team close to contending status.
As Porter noted, the Revolution 'were in way more positions than they were to score, and we have to find a goal. They pull off the cross into Denkey and he finds a half chance. That's why Denkey was such a big transfer in. That's what he does.'
The Revolution are close to having as complete a roster as league restrictions allow, minus a top-level striker. Weighing against them filling the gap are the team's artificial turf surface at home, its unfavorable climate, plus an uneven history of success. They do have Gil, though, among the best setup midfielders in the league and their best hope for a recruiter.
Without a consistent scoring threat, ambitions will be limited, but demand for forwards outpaces supply. And it will not necessarily be easy to bring in a difference-maker without spending close to the $16.2 million Cincy paid for Denkey's transfer from Cercle Brugge.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
MLS: Lionel Messi's future at Inter Miami in doubt!
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi's future with Inter Miami in MLS is in question. The Argentine World Cup champion could be on his way out. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba are furious with MLS and a rule they simply can't understand. Their frustration peaked after being suspended for skipping the All-Star Game—a showcase pitting the top players from the North American league against their Mexican league counterparts. They claimed they needed rest to avoid playing another match, a decision fully supported by their club and head coach Javier Mascherano. This decision has gone down terribly with MLS officials, who are both angry and embarrassed. They're frustrated because this marquee event has been planned for a long time, and Lionel Messi is well aware of its significance. MLS commissioner Don Garber weighed in on the situation. "I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don't think there's a player who has done more for MLS than he has. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision." he stated. Meanwhile, Jorge Mas, the majority owner of Inter Miami, also reacted, casting doubt over the Argentine star's future. "Messi is very upset—extremely upset today, as expected. I hope this won't have long-term consequences. Could this affect how players perceive the way the league operates? Absolutely." he said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Here's one way the Cincinnati Reds are honoring Hall of Famer Dave Parker
The Cincinnati Reds are honoring the late Dave Parker on the outfield wall at Great American Ball Park. A depiction of a uniform bearing Parker's name and the No. 39 was placed on the wall in foul territory near the left field foul pole. That area of the outfield was also used to for similar homages to Tom Browning, who died in December 2022, and Pete Rose, who died in September. More: 'More respect for Dave Parker than anybody': Baseball greats remember Cincinnati legend Parker, nicknamed the "Cobra." was a Reds player for four of his 19 MLB seasons and was twice named an All-Star as a Cincinnati player. Park died June 28. He was 74. Parker died just weeks shy of his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. This month's Baseball Hall of Fame induction weekend is scheduled for July 25-28. The Reds also honored Parker with a moment of silence prior to the Reds' June 28 home game against the San Diego Padres. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's one way the Cincinnati Reds are honoring Hall of Famer Dave Parker


Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Singer takes shutout into 8th, Reds beat Rays 2-1 for 4th straight win
CINCINNATI — Brady Singer took a shutout into the eighth inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Sunday for their fourth straight victory. Singer (8-8) left after allowing Taylor Walls' one-out homer in the eighth. The right-hander gave up three hits and a walk and struck out eight in his longest outing of the season.