Having no representatives in the upcoming MLS All-Star Game might be a blessing for the New England Revolution.
Without any commitments to Wednesday night's All-Star match, the Revs have a complete squad devoting their full attention to the upcoming clash with league-leading LAFC. After Tuesday's practice, striker Juan Agudelo and head coach Bruce Arena shared the sentiment of using LAFC as a measuring stick.
"We've come a long way in two months," Arena said, referencing the team's 11-game unbeaten streak, "but this is probably the most severe test we've had. And it's going to tell us a lot about our team going forward."
Agudelo compared the upcoming match to a playoff game, and said he's glad that New England got its losing out in the beginning of the season, rather than the end. It's often the hottest team, Agudelo noted, that makes the deepest run in the playoffs.
LAFC, meanwhile, has four players in the upcoming All-Star game. It's no coincidence they have the best record in the MLS.
"They're dangerous almost everywhere on the field," Agudelo said. "That's why they're at the top of the table right now. We're a hot team. It's going to be a good battle."
LAFC also has several sentimental connections to the Revolution. Notably, midfielder Lee Nguyen will be making his first return to Gillette Stadium after the Revolution traded him to LA earlier this year. Plus, both a longtime friend, Bob Bradley, and Arena's son — Kenny, an assistant coach for LAFC — will be stationed on the sideline opposite the Revolution. Arena told reporters that he and Bradley "go back a long way," and the LAFC coach babysat Kenny when he was three months old.
"I'm not sure I've ever coached against my son, actually," Arena said. "If a fight breaks out, I'm going to take him."
To watch the hottest team in the MLS take on the team to beat, tune into NBC Sports Boston on August 3 at 7:30 p.m. or stream it online.
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