FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Last weekend’s 4-2 win over the Columbus Crew gives the New England Revolution a bit of latitude in the decisive second leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series, set for a 5 p.m. kickoff on Sunday evening at Gillette Stadium.
A win, draw, or one-goal loss – and even a two-goal loss provided Columbus doesn’t score four goals – would send the Revs through to their first Eastern Conference Championship since 2007.
The Revs, of course, are aware that the Crew need at least three goals to turn the tie in their favor, but those circumstances won’t prevent New England from playing the attacking style which has seen them go 10-1-1 through the past 12 games in all competitions.
“I think we just want to come out and play our brand of soccer,” said Andrew Farrell. “That’s what we’ve been doing the past two months that we’ve been on this run.
“We can’t go off and have such a good performance last Saturday and then come out on Sunday flat. We know it’s a lot about momentum and we want to come out and play that way.”
Because Columbus needs to score multiple goals to erase the first-leg deficit, it’s expected that the visitors will push the intensity and the tempo from the opening whistle. The Revs are prepared to match that effort and push for goals of their own, which could make for some thrilling end-to-end action.
“There’s no team I know of that wants to go on the field and sit back for the first 15 or 20 minutes,” said Jay Heaps. “Both teams are going to be going forward, both teams are going to be pushing.”
Early on the Revs hope to be on the front foot, but the approach through the latter stages will be determined by how the game is playing out. Circumstances will dictate whether the closing minutes require a measured approach, but until then, it’s business as usual for the Revolution.
“I think the first half is going to determine a lot,” said Kelyn Rowe. “I think it’s going to be the same kind of game (as the first leg) – it’s going to be a hard-fought game, it’s going to be a fast game, and I don’t think we’re going to play any different. I don’t think we should.
“If we get a goal or two, obviously it’s different in the second half. In the 80th or 90th minute, if we’re aware of what the score is and we’re aware of what we have, we don’t expect to give up any goals.”
