The New England Revolution remain at the Eastern Conference summit but they tasted defeat in their last outing. Phil Neville and Inter Miami hosted the Revs and handed them their second loss of the season. it may have been controversial but Josef Martinez was the true difference maker.
Inter Miami Win Thanks to Josef Martinez
All About the Inter Miami Win Raising Eyebrows
There were a number of incidents in the Revolution’s latest loss that caused an uproar. The biggest talking point was a disallowed Noel Buck strike, which head coach Bruce Arena vehemently disagreed with. “The goal that they called back was a good goal. That’s not interfering with the goalkeeper. It’s amazing to me that they would call that goal back. I don’t know what the VAR was thinking.”
Teenager Buck showed some great footwork and then paired it with a clinical finish to level the game. After a long and drawn-out stoppage though, it was struck off due to an offside. Latif Blessing was supposedly in the eye line of the Miami goalkeeper, to which Dave Romney said after that “anytime it goes to VAR, I’m just thinking worst-case scenario.”
Christina Unkel provides her analysis of Noel Buck’s disallowed goal #NERevs pic.twitter.com/QMdRrO4VY8
— Seth (@SethMan31) May 14, 2023
On the topic of Buck and his teammate Romney was quick to sing his praises. “He’s got a good soccer IQ and you can kind of play him anywhere. He makes good decisions and he’s got quality to kind of be a standard six and just kind of control the game or even make a couple of nice plays in the attacking half of the field.”
This wasn’t the end of either with David Ruiz seemingly receiving three yellow cards, he was eventually sent off by referee Ismir Pekmic though. In general, the Inter Miami players let their opponents know they were there. In the words of Arena: “they were very physical, obviously came after our players pretty hard.”
Read More: Hudson River Derby 22: Three Takeaways
MLS Icon Josef Martinez Strikes Down South
There aren’t many more iconic players in Major League Soccer in its’ current iteration than Josef Martinez. He was an enigma when leading the line for Atlanta United and if it weren’t for a terrible ACL injury as well as general mismanagement, he may still be in Georgia now.
That isn’t the case though and he is starting to make a major impact in Miami. Both of the goals for Neville’s side came from the clinical Venezuelan finisher and he was the difference-maker on the night for sure.
With his 101st MLS career goal, Josef Martinez puts #InterMiamiCF back on top before half. pic.twitter.com/AgtgxNjUqh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2023
Miami may have an excellent forward in Josef Martinez on their roster, but the Revolution are left wanting in that department. Giacomo Vrioni, Bobby Wood and Gustavo Bou are a trio of very capable strikers on their day but it was Jozy Altidore who had people talking. The former USMNT man missed a guilt edge chance at the death as his woes in New England show no signs of letting up.
The Revolution are left to rue their missed opportunities whilst figures are inevitably being pointed at the match officials. Either way Josef Martinez and Miami were good for the three points and now Arena’s men will have to travel to Philadelphia to face the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Featured Image Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports at DRV PNK Stadium, taken May 13, 2023.
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