CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – One week down, five to go.
With Saturday morning’s training session done and dusted the New England Revolution have officially completed their first week of 2016 preseason preparations, and they’re now just five weeks away from the regular-season opener against the Houston Dynamo on March 6.
The action really heats up next week when the Revs will play their first three preseason contests in a span of four days, against the San Jose Earthquakes (Feb. 3), FC Dallas (Feb. 4) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (Feb. 6). But for now, let’s check in on some storylines from camp in Casa Grande.
Depth and competition rule the day on New England’s crowded wings
Head coach Jay Heaps has preached from day one that he wants competition at every spot on the field, and New England’s deepest position may well be on the wings.
Kelyn Rowe (21 starts, 12 substitute appearances), Teal Bunbury (20 starts, 10 substitute appearances) and Diego Fagundez (19 starts, 11 substitute appearances) essentially platooned on the wings for the Revolution in 2015, battling for available minutes each training session and game.
Thirteen of Juan Agudelo’s 20 starts in 2015 were also from a wide position, before he settled into a central forward role late in the campaign.
Four starting-caliber players competing for two positions doesn’t only provide depth, but also variety, as each member of the quartet brings a different skill-set to the table.
“We’ve used them in different scenarios,” said Heaps. “I think each of them brings a little bit different piece to our attack, and a little bit different piece to our shape defensively. With that, we’re versatile, and that’s why I think you see the games spread out like that.
“For different opponents and different tactical decisions, we may use different players.”
Fagundez earns praise from Heaps for his commitment to defending
On Thursday morning, Diego Fagundez said his biggest progression in 2015 came on the defensive side of the ball, and his efforts in that regard helped him regain a place in the starting lineup.
On Friday, his head coach echoed those sentiments.
“I think Diego has talent upon talent,” Heaps said of the soon-to-be-21-year-old winger. “What we really liked last year was the way he committed himself to defending and being in the right spots defensively, because I think it opened him up offensively.
“Last year he became one of our key guys at different stretches of the season, but it was because of the work he was putting in. Quite frankly, I thought his mental toughness throughout last season was huge.
“That’s what I’m looking forward to this season is him putting together another complete season.”
As warmer weather invades the North, colder temps coming to Casa Grande
It’s understandable if those of you back in New England have been a bit jealous of the players and staff this week, as we’ve enjoyed clear skies and comfortable temperatures here in the desert.
Highs this weekend will top out in the upper 70s both days, but fear not – it’ll soon actually be warmer in Foxborough than it is here in Casa Grande.
As soon as Monday the high temperature here in Arizona is a mere 52 degrees (with wind gusts expected to approach 30 miles per hour). Meanwhile, it should hit 54 degrees at Gillette Stadium.
So early next week I’d suggest you head outside, close your eyes, and imagine you’re enjoying preseason with the Revs. We’ll provide the content.
