u/AceArkay

MLS is back, the Revs attack is still on break.

Outside of a few fledgling moments of press, it was safe and tempered. Seemed like they were content with a point - perhaps just getting their legs back and waiting for reinforcements to arrive. hopefully they have some leeds on that front.

It was all straight line stuff with little creatively: Rosary ball - cross and pray. And that seemed to be the actual plan - especially in 2H: get it wide to Miller on the run.

Too many uninvolved <attacking> players. Their collective allergy to getting on ball is apparent in the touch counts:
Turgeman: 13 (73min)
Luca: 3 (17min)
Zambrano: 8 (30min)
Harris: 6 (17min)

Capi found the ball - often too deep out of necessity - but rarely had an option besides 1v1.

Yow's struggles picked right back up, scuffing a big chance. He is willing to take a man on, but typically shows too much of the ball and is dispossessed (1 of 4 dribbles).

The highlights were on the defensive side:
Raines was solid - stout defending and even looked to attack a bit more and take space.
Sands continues to stand up attackers and locking down his side... and a bit fortunate that the crossbar saved what would have been an own goal.
Kohler and Fofana continue to balance each other well - Mama stepping and earning a few nice interceptions, Kohler is kalm and kool on and off ball.

The new turf is in, and at least tonight was brighter than the attack. It has more of an artificial look and feel than the previous fake stuff. After walking on it and seeing it cause a few slips (including on Polster as he lined up a shot from range) - it certainly leaves you wondering if the pitch from your local high school would be just as good. Curious to hear player feedback.

The result was disappointing and even a bit lucky - if it wasn't for an awful miss from Vilsaint the fortress would have been victimized by a TFC smash and grab.

A slow start to the 2nd half of the season with a bronze lining - a clear display that the attacking weaknesses must be addressed to complement a sturdy defense.

Safe don't score. The 2nd half rondo was empty possession - and lots of it - 73%.

Not a single shot on target in 35 minutes after going up a man. Oof.

3 total SOG for the match.

Too safe.

No danger.

Easy to play against.

Reluctant to cross for the first 70’ - perhaps part of the game plan due to Charlotte's size? The alternative was stepping the ball in wide spaces - allowing the defense to get set and bunker. Fagundez, Sands, and later Yow provided nothing out wide.

Marko sent a clear message during and after the game - he has little to call on to chase a goal. His substitutes - Yow, Zambrano, Klein, Oliveira - have combined for 1 MLS goal this year.

This roster is in that morbid middle - few or no soft spots in the starting XI, and also little dynamism.

Raines was missed - maybe he breaks up the chance that leads to the CLT goal in 1H.
And Luca's danger moments are a big part of this attack.

Like many MLS sides, depth is going to challenge you on nights like this. But teams across the league. find a way to create far more with far less.

Turgeman was uninvolved, 13 touches (2 on KOs). His summer reading is Brian White's 'How to succeed as a striker in MLS without many touches.' Seriously, his film should be mandatory watching for Dor, Campana and the entire striker room.

The last three matches have shown who this team is: Carles making moments, Peyton's pace, strong goalkeeping, solid and reliable defending. They will compete in most matches.

But there is no sustained attack, certainly not enough danger to consistently chase games nor run away with a match. They sit in the right position for their play - overachieving expectations and far more compelling than the last few years. A piece or two away from ticking up.