âââThe Red Wolves opened their 2021 campaign in sterling fashion on the road against North Texas, where Coach Obleda and the squad walked away with 3 points and a clean sheet despite not having multiple key players available for the match. The squad did really well in their high intensity pressing, making North Texas uncomfortable by bringing a superior physicality into the match.
Jason Ramos, who played in a deep lying midfield role as compared to his normal center back role, did excellently, protecting the backline and keeping up midfield pressure. José Carrera García partnered well with Jimmie Villalobos as well and the three combined to put in a barnstorming midfield performance that was just as dangerous going forward as it was tracking back in defense.
Jackson Dietrich and Blake Frischknecht made a great impact off the bench as well in their debut appearances, following standout performances from the front three of Ricardo Ruiz, Juan Galindrez, and Ronaldo Pineda. Keeping the midfield linked to the attackers up top was a big part of what worked in Globe Life Park, and Coach Obleda will want more of the same from his high-octane attack.
Coming off a narrow 1-0 defeat to Union Omaha, Clint Peay and his squad will look to bounce back with a home win at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution II have conceded 4 goals so far this campaign but standout goalkeeper Joe Rice made his debut last time match and conceded a goal in the 84th minute after a solid game, snapping a 412-minute personal shutout streak.
New England plays a very traditional 4-4-2, in stark contrast to Chattanooga’s high intensity 4-4-3, which should provide a great clash of styles on Sunday. Having conceded late after battling hard in their last match, it will be a tough test of the Red Wolves’ attacking talent to break through the determined New England backline and its leader Sean O’Hearn who had a standout performance in the loss as well.
It will be a tough battle in the midfield on both sides of the pitch, as the Red Wolves’ high-octane attack and press comes up against a deep and experienced midfield that only boasted more depth against Omaha as 2 academy prospects debuted. Ryan Spaulding will anchor the Revolution midfield and will look to slow down Jimmie Villalobos and Jose Carrera Garcia.
It will be important for the Red Wolves to keep the momentum going in Gillette Stadium as the squad looks to make it 2 in a row to start the season. Goal scorer Ricky Ruiz will look to bag another goal against sure handed goalkeeper Joe Rice, while New England’s lone goal scorer this season Ryan Sierakowski will look to undo the surehanded and confident Sebastian Mora-Mora assuming he gets the start .
Finally, the Red Wolves will look to hometown star Jonathan Ricketts to have another confident performance, providing stability on the back line and almost becoming the story of the match against North Texas as he drilled a long-range effort just shy of the bottom corner. Revolution II counterpart Sean O’Hearn will look to do the same for a backline that has been vulnerable at times this season and will have a tough test against a deep and talented Red Wolves attack.
Coach Obleda and Co. face off against New England Revolution II at 8:30 eastern Sunday night in Gillette Stadium.
