DeJuan Jones on The Soccer Show: “We’ve got to take care of business” vs. Red Bulls
Jones joined host D.J. Bean on “The Soccer Show” Saturday morning to discuss why last week’s result shows that this Revolution team is on the way up.
Jun 1, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New England Revolution defender DeJuan Jones (24) controls the ball during the first half against Nashville SC at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Casey Gower-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Revolution got back into the win column last weekend, defeating Nashville SC on the road, 2-1, thanks in large part to the team’s late-game defensive heroics. New England’s 14 blocked shots were a single-game high for any team in MLS this season, and the highest total in any regular season match since 2020.
Recording three of those blocks was sixth-year defender DeJuan Jones. A veteran left back and one of the top players at his position in the league since his arrival in 2019, Jones has been through his share of ups and downs during his time with New England. Jones joined host D.J. Bean on “The Soccer Show” Saturday morning to discuss why last week’s result shows that this Revolution team is on the way up.
“Yeah, it’s definitely great to get the three points and get back to that winning feeling,” Jones said. “We still know we’re still in a hole. We were excited for the win and celebrated it, but we’re still working and we know we’ve got to take care of business this weekend.”
New England and New York will meet for the second time in less than a month on Saturday night in Foxborough. The Red Bulls took three points from the first encounter back on May 11 in New Jersey, winning by a 4-2 margin. However, both sides will look radically different than they did just four weeks ago, with several key players set to miss this weekend’s match due to international duty.
For New England, Homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević is away with the United States Olympic Team after scoring his first MLS goal, the game winner, last weekend. Meanwhile Tomás Chancalay remains out with a knee injury and is set to miss a second straight game.
On the other side, the Red Bulls are missing multiple starters, including their top-two leading scorers in Emil Forsberg and Lewis Morgan. The latter was just added to the Scotland roster as an injury replacement on Thursday. New York is also without its free-kick specialist, American left back John Tolkin.
“I think, especially with where we are in the table right now, it’s important to string multiple wins together,” Jones said. “We’re really focused this week, had a great week of training, and we’re looking forward to the game. Red Bull is a good team, they’re pretty high in the standings right now, so it’s going to be a fun game and it’s going to be a battle.”
After matching a club record with 12 home victories last season, New England has struggled at Gillette Stadium thus far in 2024, posting a dismal 1-5-0 record in Foxborough. If the Revolution want to mount a turnaround and begin the long climb up the Eastern Conference table, Jones and the rest of the squad know they have to take care of business at home.
“We’re definitely not a last-place roster in terms of the guys on the team and what we’re capable of, but that’s the reality right now,” Jones said. “We have to take it one game, just like everyone else, and focus on the next game – especially these points at home which are critical. So, a really big opportunity this weekend to take three points against Red Bull.”
Jones and the Revolution take on the Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). Listen to Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies call the action on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
