Match Focus: New England Revolution Out to Spoil Donovan's Last Hurrah

The eulogies have been rolling for quite some time. Sunday’s game is as much about giving Landon Donovan a fitting send-off as it is about deciding this season’s MLS Cup champions. However, one team stands in the way of Donovan ending his celebrated career in a flurry of ticker tape and champagne: the New England Revolution. And some have even made them favourites to tear the championship trophy from Donovan and the Galaxy’s grasp.

The Galaxy routed the Revolution 5-1 when the two teams met back in July. But that was pre-Jermaine Jones, and before New England put together a winning run that has taken them all the way to the MLS Cup final.

“I actually looked at the lineups from that game and both teams are much different (now),” explained Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. “For the Revolution they’ve been the best team in the league over the past dozen games or so. Obviously the addition of Jermaine Jones has been big for their team, has brought them great leadership and solidified their central midfield position.”

Indeed, the signing of USA international Jones provided a catalyst for a regular season charge from the Revolution. Until that point New England had lacked consistency, but now they have won 12 of their last 15 league games – losing just once over the course of that streak.

Jones has contributed three goals since joining the club, also putting on four assists, whilst giving the Revolution much-needed grit and protection in the centre of midfield – the 33-year-old is averaging 2.3 tackles per game this season, and 1.7 interceptions. But as impressive as Jones has been since making the move from Turkish side Beskitas, not even he has been the brightest light in the New England Revolution’s season. His midfield partner has become the player that defines the Revs.

In Lee Nguyen the Revolution had an MVP contender for this MLS season. The midfielder has been the driving force with which New England have swaggered into the playoffs. Nguyen is by far and away the Revolution’s top scorer this term, with 20 goals to his name from just 36 appearances, making him the league’s highest scoring midfielder.

The 28-year-old is New England’s biggest goal threat, even from his position in midfield, averaging 2.4 shots per game. His average of 2.1 key passes per game holds up pretty well in comparison with some of MLS’s best playmakers too.

Unlike the Galaxy, who are among the most accomplished passers in MLS, the Revolution are not a side that bases their game on possession. In fact, Heaps’ team claim an average of just 48.4% possession, ranking them as one of the worst passing sides in the league.

New England make the most of what possession they do have, with most of their best play coming through the central midfield pairing of Jones and Nguyen. Right now Heaps’ team are in a groove of form that makes them the league’s most dangerous side. Attacking momentum has taken them this far, and it might take them one crucial game farther.

The LA Galaxy will likely dominate much of the ball in Sunday’s game, but that could suit the Revolution. Heaps’ team is an outfit that thrives on the counter attack, with 11% of their goals (seven goals in total) this season coming on the break.

Arena’s side may well target Andrew Farrell after the right-back’s display against the New York Red Bulls. Farrell has impressed for the Revs since breaking into the team last season, but his inexperience against the likes of Donovan, Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes could make him something of a weak link.

However, New England have a settled back four, with Farrell redeeming himself in the number of tackles he makes per game – 2.5 on average. A.J Soares is also central to the way the Revs move the ball out from the back, with the centre-back averaging 2.4 interceptions per game. His defensive partner Jose Goncalves also averages 2.1 interceptions per appearance.

The Californians will undoubtedly be a threat to the Revolution goal on Sunday, with their average of 15.7 shots per game suggesting that Bobby Shuttleworth will need to be in form. But New England are an attacking force themselves, illustrated by their run deep into the playoffs. At the top of their game they are probably the best team in the league, with Heaps revitalising a franchise that had grown somewhat tired over the past decade.

The Revolution scored seven goals over two games against the Columbus Crew earlier in the playoffs, in doing so demonstrating the force of their formidable frontline, with striker Charlie Davies stepping up with four goals in as many offseason games.

Teal Bunbury has even chipped in from his improvised position on the right side of the attack, with his left-footed, curling strike against the Red Bulls one of the highlights of a compelling MLS season.

Arena is often hailed as the master of tuning MLS teams for the playoffs, but heading into Sunday’s championship decider it is the Revolution, and head coach Heaps, who look to have peaked at the right time.

Who do you think will be victorious in Sunday's final? Can the Revolution spoil Landon Donovan's last game? Let us know in the comments below