Clint Peay previews pivotal midweek clash with Crew
In Major League Soccer’s jam-packed Eastern Conference, a lot of shuffling can take place between now and October 21 when seedings will be finalized on the league’s ‘Decision Day.’ Only one thing is certain – it is the MLS schedule makers who are the real winners here. Over the final two weeks-and-change of the regular season, the Revolution will have to survive four crucial meetings with teams right alongside them in contention for a top-four finish and homefield advantage.
Despite having a playoffs berth locked up, Clint Peay told Zolak & Bertrand that there should be no fear that the Revolution will take their foot off the gas pedal, starting tonight against the Columbus Crew at Gillette Stadium.
“I think the guys recognize that the next few games are all very challenging in their own way,” Peay said. “Tonight is going to be no different. Columbus, whether they are home or away, they have shown to be a very difficult team to play against, one of the best attacking teams in the league. We know we have our work cut out for us.”
Luckily, New England secured three crucial points this past Saturday night against a much less daunting opponent with a 2-1 triumph over Charlotte FC. Arlington’s own Noel Buck was the catalyst for the Revs, scoring his third goal of the season to spark an early lead.
“For the group, it was a way to kind of get over the hump and move forward,” said New England’s interim head coach. “Obviously, a little adversity there giving up a late goal, but I thought they showed good resiliency and were able to fight back to get the go-ahead goal late in the game with a good header. Noel had a great game, great finish. He’s got the ability in and around the goal to be dangerous.”
The Revs can make more history in Foxborough tonight if they can improve on their already-stellar home record (11-0-4). A win would see New England reach 40 home points for the first time and match a team record with 12 home victories in a season. They only need a draw to equal the club-best mark of 17 straight home games without a loss.
“The team has been performing extremely well at home, so we think that is going to be a huge advantage for us when we lock that up,” Peay said of the team’s goal to finish among the East’s top-four teams. “That’s our focus. That’s what we’re after and obviously, starting tonight again, we’ve got to go out and get the three points so that we can put pressure on others, but also kind of solidify our place and get that homefield advantage for the playoffs.”
Watch the Revolution take on the Columbus Crew tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, or listen on 98.5 The Sports Hub, where Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies will have the call.
