It has been a banner year of the New England Revolution – winning the Supporters Shield with two games left on the schedule. The club is dominating the MLS this season – up 21 points in the Eastern Conference and 12 points ahead of the Seattle Sounders for the most points in the MLS in 2021.
It has been a great year if you grabbed one of the best sportsbook bonuses and wager on the Revolution through the 2021 campaign. So, what are some of the reasons behind New England’s success in 2021 – allowing them to win their first Supporters Shield and making them the favourite to win the 2021 MLS Cup.
Low Reliance on Penalty Kicks for Goals
The New England Revolution lead all clubs in goals this season with 61 (32 matches in with two games left). They sit seven up on Kansas City and ten ahead of the MLS’ second-best team the Seattle Sounders.
One reason this is impressive is the Revolutions’ low reliance on penalty kicks. New England only has three penalty attempts and two goals from penalty kicks. In comparison, Sporting KC has six goals off penalty kicks, while D.C. United leads the MLS with nine goals on ten penalty kick attempts.
Why does this matter? Well, it means New England does not rely on mistakes from other teams to score goals. They are able to create their own goals on a consistent basis – allowing them to win games when the other team is playing smart.
Excellent Playmaking to Set Up Goals
One reason they are scoring at such a high rate this season is their passing and playmaking abilities. The New England Revolution are tops in the MLS this season in assists (47), assists per 90 minutes (1.47), and xG Assisted (42.1).
The passing is one reason the New England Revolution is tops in the MLS this season in team points and team goals.
Carles Gil is key for the New England Revolution passing and playmaking this season. Gil leads the MLS with 18 assists this season. While it is no longer possible he breaks the single-season record, two more assists this season would make Gil only the fourth player in MLS history with 20 or more assists in a season.
Superb Goaltending
New England may not be leading the MLS – or as far ahead of the next best team – if not for great goaltending this season. New England ranks sixth in save percentage this season (74.3%) and fourth in saves (111) with 32 games played this season.
New England goaltender – Matt Turner – is one of the best in Major League Soccer. He has three consecutive seasons with a save percentage of at least 73.4%. If New England has a lesser keeper they likely would be closer to the middle of the pack, instead of tops in the league.
Consider this: if New England allowed as many shots this season (148) but were league average in season percentage, they would be noticeably worse. Instead of allowing 40 goals this season, New England should be giving up 45 goals. Five goals are the difference in ranking tenth in goals allowed and 16th. Turner’s skills in net almost got the New England Revolution to the MLS Cup in 2020. He stepped it up in the 2020 playoffs – saving 80% of shots and giving up only two goals in three games.
Turner works hard for the Revolution, and they have repaid him with plenty of goal support this season. In the playoffs, when the games are tighter, having a guy in your net that can win you games is crucial.
Will the Revolution go on to win the MLS Cup? Are they an all-time great team or just an average Support Shield winner during a slightly shortened season? Who knows – but at least entering the final weeks of the season, New England is the best team in the MLS.
