DeJuan Jones: Revs need to ‘dictate the tempo’ against Inter Miami
After playing five of their last six games on the road, DeJuan Jones and the New England Revolution are more than ready to return home to Foxborough this weekend. Jones joined DJ Bean on “The Soccer Show” ahead tonight’s match against last-place Inter Miami CF at Gillette Stadium – the first of three consecutive home games for New England.
“That was a tough road stretch,” Jones said. “Now to be home, sleep in your own bed, cook your own meals, it will be nice. Especially to have our home support behind us for three games in a row, we’re really looking forward to it.”
Like all other soccer fans across the world, Jones, who is set to surpass 10,000 minutes played in all competitions for New England this weekend, has been captivated by the groundbreaking news global icon Lionel Messi, fresh off a FIFA World CupTM championship in Qatar with Argentina, announced his intention to join Major League Soccer and Inter Miam CF this summer.
“I think I saw Apple TV tweeted like ‘Barcelona, PSG, and Argentina,’” Jones said. “I was like, ‘Are they trying to tell us something?’ And then I feel like right after that, the rumors started going crazy on Twitter. Then big profiles are saying that it’s confirmed that he’s coming. Then you see it from Inter Miami and that’s when you know it’s real.”
Jones, a fifth-year defender who has recorded 115 appearances in MLS, all with the Revolution, is looking forward to the massive impact Messi’s arrival will have on the league.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Jones said. “Messi has been one of my favorite players ever since I was young. For him to be in the same league is pretty cool. It’s pretty special. I think he’s going to bring a lot of new eyes to MLS, for sure.”
Messi’s arrival is expected later this summer, so the Revolution have the good fortune of facing Inter Miami twice this season before the megastar’s arrival. That won’t stop an expected 35,000 fans from filing into Gillette Stadium to see if the Revolution can stifle Miami forward Josef Martinez, the 2018 MLS MVP, and Ecuadorian attacker Leonardo Campana. Martinez scored the game-winning goal in the season’s first meeting with Miami, a 2-1 loss for the Revolution in Fort Lauderdale on May 13.
“I think we saw it when we played them the last time,” Jones said of the Herons. “If we let them get an early lead, they can sit back and defend well. I think it’s important that we score the first goal and bring the intensity at home. … It’s going to be important to find that first goal and dictate the tempo.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV. Listen to match live on 98.5 The Sports Hub with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action.
“I think we can get back on track, especially at home,” Jones added. “It’s a big opportunity for us this weekend.”
