FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Just as the New England Revolution had to adjust when both Lee Nguyen and Chris Tierney were ejected from last weekend’s draw with D.C. United, so too will they now have to cope with their absences for Sunday night’s MLS Cup rematch with the LA Galaxy.
The duo will be suspended for the nationally-televised tilt with LA (7 p.m., Fox Sports 1), leaving two holes in the Revolution’s starting lineup at central attacking midfield and left back. Both players have appeared in 12 of New England’s 13 games this season and are surefire starters when available.
But general manager Michael Burns, head coach Jay Heaps and the rest of the Revolution’s technical staff have worked tirelessly in recent years to build a squad capable of dealing with such absences, and they’re confident they have the pieces to field a strong lineup on Sunday night.
“There are a lot of guys on the bench that very easily could be starters here, or starters on another team,” said Teal Bunbury, who himself has alternated between starter and sub at times this season. “If some guy’s injured or has a red card, they’re able to plug them in right away. That’s what we’re going to do.”
Kevin Alston has started at left back three times this season, while Jeremy Hall and Donnie Smith are also options on the left side of defense. Kelyn Rowe has made a pair of starts in central attacking midfield, while Diego Fagundez, Daigo Kobayashi and Steve Neumann are other capable selections.
After starting the first seven games of the season, Rowe has appeared as a substitute in four of the Revolution’s last six matches, and if he’s provided the chance to step back into a starting role on Sunday night, he’s confident he’ll be ready to grasp hold of the opportunity.
“Whether it be myself or Diego or Daigo – whoever gets put in that spot – it’s important, always, to take your chances,” said Rowe, who is third on the Revolution in goals (3) and is tied for the team lead in assists (3). “It’s really important for one of us to take that chance and move forward from there.”
Rowe has appeared primarily on the wing this season, but should he find himself in the central position vacated by Nguyen, it won’t require much of an adjustment for the 23-year-old midfielder.
“I grew up playing in the middle,” Rowe said. “I’m comfortable in there.”
Rowe’s presence on the field – regardless of where he’s stationed – could be important for another reason, as well. Nguyen and Tierney are the Revolution’s primary set-piece takers, a duty which will likely be passed on to Rowe on Sunday night.
“We’ve discussed that quite a bit,” said Heaps. “We feel that we’re going to put a team out there that’s going to be good on set pieces.”
