Jalil Anibaba previews Revolution’s opponent in Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinal
Former New England Revolution defender Jalil Anibaba is no stranger to big games and high-pressure moments on the pitch. Anibaba, who played 12 seasons in Major League Soccer from 2011-2022, joined D.J. Bean on “The Soccer Show” this morning to discuss New England’s run in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup and assess the Revolution’s next opponent, Club América, in the Quarterfinal Round of the continental tournament.
“When you talk about América, breaking them down for Revs fans and the team approaching this game, it’s about a historic team, a prolific team, a team that is playing very well,” Anibaba, who featured for New England for two seasons in 2018 and 2019, said. “It’s a team that has players from the highest caliber of football.”
The reigning LIGA MX champion, Club América’s trophy case also includes a record seven Concacaf Champions Cup titles. Club América defeated LIGA MX rival C.D. Guadalajara in the Champions Cup Round of 16 to advance to the Quarterfinal Round.
In the attack, ‘Las Aguilas’ are led by the potent striker tandem of Julián Quiñones and Henry Martín, who each own four goals in LIGA MX Clasura play this year. Quiñones has also netted three goals over two games played in Champions Cup.
“[Quiñones] has nine goal contributions in all competitions already, three in Concacaf Champions Cup,” Anibaba said of the 27-year-old Colombian forward. “This is a player that’s prolific in front of goal and can stretch the backline. He’s somebody who definitely will be on the scout for Caleb Porter and company.”
On the defensive end, goalkeeper Luis Malagón has collected seven clean sheets over 11 appearances in league play.
“I think the Revs have to be at the top of their game because this is a club that is not going to give you anything easy,” Anibaba said. “I think you can expect América to be sharp in both legs, it doesn’t matter where they’re playing.”
Anibaba was a key fixture on a 2019 Revolution team that struggled in the early stages of the season before embarking on an 11-game unbeaten streak to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. New England’s 0-4-1 start to the 2024 MLS campaign isn’t what the Revolution were hoping for, but a long season ahead means there’s plenty of time to improve and pick up results along the way.
“The MLS season is a long season, so I truthfully haven’t put too much stock in the fact that the Revs are struggling in the league because they’re continuing to advance in Champions Cup,” Anibaba said.
Anibaba, now an analyst for both MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and CBS Sports Golazo, feels the Revolution are in good hands under Caleb Porter’s guidance. The longtime defender played one season under Porter’s coaching with the Columbus Crew in 2022. Anibaba also played against Porter-coached teams during his 12-season career.
“Caleb Porter is obviously a winner,” Anibaba said. “Everywhere he’s gone, he’s able to win trophies. Whether it was his time at Akron, whether it was in Portland or Columbus, where we finally were working together as opposed to working against each other for so many years. Caleb is all about winning.”
New England will play a two-leg series against Club América in the 2024 Champions Cup Quarterfinal. The Revolution will host Leg 1 next Tuesday, April 2 for a 9:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium. New England will then travel to Mexico City for Leg 2 on Tuesday, April 9 at 10:30 p.m. ET at historic Estadio Azteca.
The Revolution resume MLS play in between the two-leg series, hosting Charlotte FC next Saturday, April 6 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in Foxborough.
