FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After suffering a hamstring injury a little over a month ago when New England last played New York City FC, Revolution defender DeJuan Jones has recovered just in time to put himself in contention for the Revs’ rematch with the Blues at home this weekend. Jones featured as a substitute this past Saturday against the Philadelphia Union, playing most of the second half, and said after Tuesday’s training session that he was eager to get right back onto the pitch and into the fight for points.
“It was a long time away, so to be back in front of our fans, I think 35,000, was amazing,” Jones said of his appearance on Saturday. “They’ve been supportive all year. Just to be back with the guys, it’s a great feeling.”
Jones didn’t hide the fact that he would have rather been on the field for the team’s recent stretch of difficult games, saying he would have wanted to be able to help the team more.
“You see plays, you’re like, “Ahh, maybe I could have done this if I was in,’” he said. “But now I’m back, so it’s great to be able to help the team from on the pitch and in the training ground. Really happy to be back and hope I can bring some positive energy for the team.”
The left back from Lansing added that having support from the home fans was crucial, especially as the team continues to fight for improved results.
“Home games are definitely a little bit easier than away games,” Jones said. “We’ve definitely got to use that to our advantage. The fans are great, they bring great energy for us, so we’ve got to turn that energy into a win this weekend.”
Jones’ hamstring injury served as a minor setback for a season that he had entered with lofty goals for himself. While his motivation remains as strong as ever, he said his more immediate focus was now on reaching and maintaining full fitness, and helping the team secure points, both on Saturday and going forward.
“Staying healthy, being really communicative in the back [and] bringing some leadership to the back” were the goals that he specifically highlighted for himself. “And getting clean sheets and getting wins right now. That’s what it’s really all about.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, Jones harbored no illusions about the task at hand. He recognized that facing off with the team currently sitting 3rd in the Eastern Conference will be a challenge, but said it was a challenge he welcomed.
“They’ve got some really good attacking players, and they’re a strong team in possession,” he said. “So we know it’s going to be a difficult game. They’re on a good run right now. It’s going to be a battle, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Jones added that he was not only glad to be back, but glad to have a number of teammates returning to fitness as well, increasing the competition for starting spots and boosting the quality of the squads that start on gameday.
“We’ve got a few more outside backs that are almost ready, so it’s going to be great,” he said. “Great competition in trainings and we’ll have our best players out there.”
One player that Jones was particularly looking forward to seeing return was fellow outside back Brandon Bye, who has been ruled out since last August as he recovers from an ACL injury. Head coach Caleb Porter said Tuesday that Bye was progressing well and “doing more and more on the pitch” in training, with a possible return to action as soon as the coming month.
“[Bye is] getting really close,” Jones said with a wide smile across his face. “He’s been running for a few weeks, he’s kicking balls around, so I think he’s getting really close. It’s really exciting for him, and we’ll be really happy to have him back.”
New England will kick off against NYCFC at 7:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. The Revs will then travel down to face Nashville SC on June 1 before returning for another two-game homestand running into mid-June.
