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Having topped the Eastern Conference and the overall MLS table in 2021, great things were expected of New England Revolution this season. While the Revs failed to capitalize on a brilliant regular campaign, a positive start to 2022 was widely expected.
It’s still early days but, after 13 games of the current season, New England may already be in danger of missing out on the playoffs. Four wins, four ties and five defeats leaves Head Coach Bruce Arena and his men in eleventh place in the East and the team need to start getting some points on the board.
Early Struggles
It’s tough to see how it’s all fallen apart for the Revs although injuries have played a part. Coach Arena has not had a chance to pair two fit center backs together for much of the campaign so far. Matt Turner has been the biggest miss and those injuries at the heart of the defense have been a major factor.
Those that have stepped up to replace the missing players have struggled. Omar Gonzalez has plenty of experience at the age of 33 but the veteran defender has not been the answer to the Revs problems.
Recent signs have been more encouraging. New England’s results are showing a slight improvement, but they need to start winning more regularly in order to keep in touch with the playoff places.
Revs Rated
Despite that slow start to the 2022 MLS season, the neutral view is that New England Revolution will make the playoffs. According to sports betting companies as sourced by SBO.net, the Revs are ranked as seventh favorites in the MLS Cup winners market for this campaign.
Winning silverware is an even bigger challenge, but that independent assessment suggests that Arena and his men will progress beyond the regular season at the very least.
Upcoming results will tell us whether the sportsbooks have got it right. Sbo.net will continue to update the markets and reflect any changes to those odds as soon as they come in. While on the site, readers can assess a vast amount of sportsbook reviews while taking in some breaking news and opinion stories.
Anyone aiming to put their knowledge to good use can do so. All of the recommended betting companies mentioned on those pages are set up to take on new customers. Subject to eligibility requirements and a swift and secure sign up form, many sites have a generous welcome package in place.
A range of deposit options helps to add necessary funds while customer services will usually include a live chat operator. Moving forward, a range of other sports, ongoing promotions and the ability to stake via a mobile app will usually be found.
It’s the site to follow in terms of MLS betting but have they got it right as far as New England Revolution’s playoff chances are concerned?
Focus on Key Players
While Bruce Arena’s first choice defense is just starting to piece together, things are more positive in advanced areas of the pitch. The biggest plus point to date has been the form of Adam Buksa. The Polish international striker has scored seven goals in the first ten games of the season and those goals have helped the Revs to reach their modest points tally after thirteen matches.
Buksa needs a little more scoring support from the players around him but that’s a promising start and The Revs can continue to prosper if the Pole can maintain those scoring levels.
Behind the main strikers, there have been some high-quality assists and some scoring contributions from midfield. Carles Gil, Sebastian Lletget, Matt Polster, Emmanuel Boateng and Damian Rivera have all found the net this season.
Based on the stats, the issues for New England Revolution after 13 games of the 2022 MLS season all appear to be in the defense. Coach Arena can point to a run of bad luck with injuries but there will be no more excuses for the Revs from this point onwards.
The team can still make the playoffs and go deeper into the postseason than they did in 2022 but New England needs to start winning or the aim of a place in the next phase will begin to slip away.