Soccer

3 takeaways as the Revolution weathered the storm in a 2-1 win over the Rapids

"Does anyone know what's going on here?"

Carles Gil
Carles Gil during the Revolution's 2-1 win over the Rapids in Colorado on July 4. AP Photo/David Zalubowski

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

The New England Revolution marked a patriotic holiday by grabbing all three points in a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids on Thursday night, though the game continued well after the Fourth of July celebrations had ended.

Multiple weather-related delays meant the game lasted more than four hours beyond its originally intended time. Yet the Revolution persevered and extended the team’s unbeaten run in league play to seven games.

An early goal from Teal Bunbury, plus a second half finish from Juan Fernando Caicedo, outweighed Diego Rubio’s 71st-minute header for the Rapids, moving New England to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing Toronto for seventh on goal differential.

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Here are a few takeaways from a strange night at DSG Park.

1. The weather delays were the story, but didn’t define the game.

Three weather delays were the theme of the night. In all, the delays totaled three hours and 34 minutes, meaning the game didn’t finish until after 2 a.m. EST.

The cause for the delays was a series of thunderstorms that brought lightning strikes.

At one point, it also hailed:

When the game got underway after a pre-kickoff delay, the Revolution dominated the early proceedings. With 65 percent of possession before the second delay, which occurred in the 28th minute, New England scored a deserved opener through Bunbury:

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The third delay occurred before halftime after the game resumed for just six minutes, adding to the already bizarre nature of the matchup. A shortened eight-minute halftime was highlighted by a failed interview with Revolution coach Bruce Arena, who offered an unintentionally poignant quote.

“Does anyone know what’s going on here?” Arena asked as technical difficulties interfered.

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Still, the Revolution maintained focus, adding to the lead in the second half before holding on for three points. It was just the team’s second away win of the season, and both have come since Arena has taken over.

2. Carles Gil continues to prove his worth.

Signed in the offseason for a team record transfer fee of $2 million, attacking midfielder Carles Gil has been worth every penny.

In measurable stats, he not only plays key passes but regularly provides assists. This was on display Thursday when he supplied a perfectly placed free kick that Caicedo headed home for the second goal:

What doesn’t always show up in the boxscore is Gil’s general ability to provide a calming presence in New England’s midfield. Obviously not every pass is an assist, but he is an outlet for teammates whenever he’s on the field, able to maneuver in tight spaces and retain possession.

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He showed this quality on several occasions against the Rapids. The stats show that he was prominently involved throughout the game, linking passes all over the field.

At 26, the Spaniard is far from the stereotypical European signing in MLS. He’s not just a past-his-prime veteran attempting to extend his career. Gil is in his prime.

3. There was no late equalizer this time.

While much of Arena’s tenure since taking over in May has been defined by renewed optimism, one nagging inconsistency has been closing out games in which the Revolution hold a one-goal lead.

Against Philadelphia in June and D.C United in May, New England gave up late equalizers to opponents. It’s been the difference on multiple occasions between ending the game with a win (and three points) and a draw (and only one point).

On Thursday, there were nervous moments late in the second half following Rubin’s goal for Colorado to make it 2-1. The Rapids pressed to try and find a second goal, and nearly did so in the 89th minute:

Yet between goalkeeper Matt Turner’s save and a collective defensive effort, the Revolution were able to see out a 2-1 win. It was another step in the right direction, and salvaged the social media team’s loss earlier in the night in tic-tac-toe.