Kevin Egan on The Soccer Show: Revolution are a ‘Galvanized Group’
After a tumultuous week in Foxborough, the New England Revolution are finally back to business tonight with a road match at the Colorado Rapids in the second leg of three-game road swing.
Kevin Egan, the English play-by-play announcer for tonight’s match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, joined DJ Bean on “The Soccer Show” to preview tonight’s match and discuss the leadership within the Revolution as the team looks to move forward with a postseason berth on the horizon.
With seven games remaining in the regular season, New England, in second place in the Eastern Conference, will lean on Clint Peay, head coach of Revolution II for the last four years, to lead the team on an interim basis.
“Clint Peay is someone that strikes me who has that man management style and will not go about huge or drastic changes here to close out the regular season,” Egan said.
Peay, who played five seasons and won multiple MLS Cups in MLS with D.C. United from 1996-2000, is a familiar face within the Revolution organization. The 49-year-old Maryland native has spent the past four seasons as head coach of New England’s second team, playing a crucial role in the development of the team’s rising talent, including several players who have risen from Revolution II to the MLS roster.
A handful of Clint’s former Revolution II players are currently key contributors on the Revolution’s MLS side, including Noel Buck, Esmir Bajraktarevic, and Damian Rivera in the midfield, defender Ryan Spaulding in the backline, and forward Justin Rennicks.
“It’s one of those situations where you can either give up and walk away or come together and say, ‘We deserve it because we’ve been breaking our backs on the training pitch,’” Egan said. “’We’ve been the ones putting in the work and getting those results as players.’”
New England will also lean heavily on its veteran leadership, starting with captain Carles Gil. The midfielder from Spain is producing yet another MVP-caliber season with eight goals and 12 assists, including the opening tally in last weekend’s match at Minnesota United. Gil continues to lead a potent New England attack that ranks fifth in MLS in goals scored with 46.
The playmaker’s on-field ability and leadership will be key to galvanizing this group.
“When Gil is frustrated, you see it nearly in other players,” Egan said. “When he is bought in, as captain, and is willing to grab this thing and tear forward as a group, you get this feeling that the others are too.”
New England can seal its postseason berth with a win tonight at Colorado and a draw between D.C. United and Charlotte FC. The Revolution can also clinch their fourth postseason appearance over the last five seasons with a victory over the Rapids, combined with a D.C. United loss at Charlotte FC and a Chicago Fire FC loss at CF Montréal. Watch tonight’s match at 9:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Listen live on 98.5 The Sports Hub with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action.
A timeline of the internal drama at the New England Revolution
The New England Revolution have undergone major changes in their coaching staff and front office over the past several weeks, with some questions remaining unanswered.
What exactly did now-former head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena say or do to set off this entire chain of events in the first place? What exactly was former interim head coach Richie Williams’ role in the whole thing? Are the changes done, or are more coming?
But for now, the dust is settling on what’s been a tumultuous month-plus for the Revs, all stemming from an incident (or incidents) that the details of which remain curiously under wraps. At the moment, the most important detail is that Arena is out as the club’s head coach and sporting director. Clint Peay taking over as interim head coach, while Williams, who was previously the interim head coach in Arena’s absence, appears to be out.
Here’s a brief timeline of events that have taken place within the New England Revolution since the start of August, leading up to the most recent moves in the organization…
August 1: Bruce Arena under investigation
New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena looks on before a game against the Toronto FC at Gillette Stadium. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
The Revs released a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 1 announcing that Arena was being placed on administrative leave, due to an ongoing investigation by Major League Soccer into “allegations of insensitive and inappropriate remarks.” Here’s the statement in full:
“The New England Revolution organization has placed Coach Arena on administrative leave as a result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by Major League Soccer into allegations of insensitive and inappropriate remarks. The organization takes any allegations of workplace misconduct extremely seriously and is working closely with the League and fully cooperating with its investigation.”
August 29: Williams addresses Arena investigation
Sep 2, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams coaches the team from the sideline during the second half against the Austin FC at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Fast-forward exactly four weeks, and Williams’ tenure as interim head coach was in full swing. But it was also the first chance for Zolak and Bertrand to ask Williams about the Arena investigation, so they asked him about it in an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Williams didn’t share any details, but he feigned ignorance on the matter, and you’ll find out why that’s significant later.
“We don’t have any inside info on it. We know exactly what you know, which is nothing,” Williams said. “Really, our focus has been on leading the team.”
September 9: Bruce Arena resigns from Revolution
Jul 8, 2023; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New England Revolution Head Coach Bruce Arena reacts after goal was disallowed during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nearly six weeks after Arena was placed on administrative leave, the details of the investigation and his status with the club remained a mystery. Then suddenly, around 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night, Sept. 9, Arena and the Revs each issued statements announcing Arena’s resignation.
“I know that I have made some mistakes and moving forward, I plan to spend some time reflecting on this situation and taking corrective steps to address what has transpired,” Arena’s statement read, in part. “And while this has not been an easy decision, I am confident that it is in the best interest of both the New England Revolution organization and my family that we part ways at this time.”
September 12: Revs players refuse to practice
Sep 9, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota United midfielder Jan Gregus (24) and defender D.J. Taylor (27) and defender Devin Padelford (right) react after a goal by midfielder Franco Fragapane (not pictured) against the New England Revolution during stoppage time at Allianz Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
As reported by Pablo Maurer and Tim Bogert at The Athletic, Revolution players “refused to train” on Tuesday, Sept. 2 following a meeting with team President Brian Bilello and a second meeting with the coaching staff.
During the meeting with the other coaches, players reportedly asked Williams “about his reported involvement in the investigation into his former boss.” Williams reportedly said he was “unable to comment.”
One Revs player reportedly told The Athletic: “Not many guys trust Richie leading the team right now.”
September 12: Revs make more major changes
Aug 30, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams watches the in-stadium display during the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Later in what turned out to be a wild Tuesday for the Revs, the club announced several changes to the coaching staff. Most notably, Clint Peay would be taking over as interim head coach. Williams’ status with the club was not disclosed, but this presumably means he’s officially out.
In addition, the Revs announced that Marcelo Santos is joining the staff as an assistant coach. As for other departures, the club also parted ways with assistant coaches Dave van den Bergh and Shalrie Joseph.
Ven den Bergh had been an assistant coach with the Revs since 2019, while Joseph played for New England from 2003-12, before joining the organization as a coach in 2020. From Arena to Joseph, these collective moves could qualify as “cleaning house.”
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.
