The New England Revolution kicked off the start of the 2009 Major League Soccer season with a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, and with a lineup that featured two rookies and one second-year player starting at the back, expectations are sure to rise after a shutout victory.
Rookies Darrius Barnes (Duke University) and Kevin Alston (Indiana University) both slotted into starting spots in the Revolution backline, along side second-year pro Chris Tierney (Virginia) and veteran Jay Heaps to form a steady backline that stimied the Earthquakes attack. With a team whose average age of 25, this road victory proved to be a valuable learning experience as well.
"[The win] is really big, because in a lot of ways, we weren't really given much of a chance coming into tonight just in terms of personnel, and with the way things have gone for us in San Jose," said midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. "I think it is good for us, and it's good for the young guys to experience a win right off the bat."
After Barnes broke up a San Jose attack in the midfield, Larentowicz lobbed a ball over the Earthquakes defense to Kehli Duke, who tucked into the back of the net for the game-winner.
Revolution coach Steve Nichol was full of praise for his youngsters.
"They were sent out their tonight to do a job, and they did a job," said Nicol of his young defenders. "You can't ask any more than that. ... They did what was asked of them and more; positionally and their decision-making, all of those things they got right tonight."
As expectations start to rise around this young New England nucleus, Barnes welcomes the responsibility that falls on his shoulders.
"I always have high expectations," said Barnes. "But coach [Nicol], he just said to play simple, and don't try to do too much and do things I don't normally do. That advice helped out a lot."
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20090322&content_id=229128&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp
Rookies Darrius Barnes (Duke University) and Kevin Alston (Indiana University) both slotted into starting spots in the Revolution backline, along side second-year pro Chris Tierney (Virginia) and veteran Jay Heaps to form a steady backline that stimied the Earthquakes attack. With a team whose average age of 25, this road victory proved to be a valuable learning experience as well.
"[The win] is really big, because in a lot of ways, we weren't really given much of a chance coming into tonight just in terms of personnel, and with the way things have gone for us in San Jose," said midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. "I think it is good for us, and it's good for the young guys to experience a win right off the bat."
After Barnes broke up a San Jose attack in the midfield, Larentowicz lobbed a ball over the Earthquakes defense to Kehli Duke, who tucked into the back of the net for the game-winner.
Revolution coach Steve Nichol was full of praise for his youngsters.
"They were sent out their tonight to do a job, and they did a job," said Nicol of his young defenders. "You can't ask any more than that. ... They did what was asked of them and more; positionally and their decision-making, all of those things they got right tonight."
As expectations start to rise around this young New England nucleus, Barnes welcomes the responsibility that falls on his shoulders.
"I always have high expectations," said Barnes. "But coach [Nicol], he just said to play simple, and don't try to do too much and do things I don't normally do. That advice helped out a lot."
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20090322&content_id=229128&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp
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