Bruce Arena has helped resuscitate the New England Revolution, a process that began under interim coach Mike Lapper shortly after Brad Friedel was dismissed May 9. But Arena, the club’s new head coach and sporting director, seems to be taking things to another level, revitalizing former U.S. national team players such as Juan Agudelo and Teal Bunbury.
The Revs have compiled a five-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, with Arena guiding the last two: a 2-1 league win at the LA Galaxy on June 2, then a 3-2 extra-time win at the New York Red Bulls this past Tuesday in U.S. Open Cup fourth-round action.
In the RBNY match, which came after playing a man down for the final 30 minutes, Agudelo scored the opening goal and Bunbury had a brace. Bunbury’s second, a lofted chip over goalkeeper Ryan Meara, was one for the highlight reels, while Agudelo converted in the first minute off a Juan Fernando Caicedo backheel.
