Who: New England Revolution vs. Pumas UNAM
What: 2010 SuperLiga, Group B, Match 1
When: Wednesday, July 14, 8:00 pm ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
TV Info: Telefutura (Spanish)
Radio: www.revolutionsoccer.net
On Wednesday, one of Mexico's most popular clubs, Pumas UNAM, kick off their first foray into SuperLiga against the New England Revolution.
The Mexico City-based club reached the quarterfinals of the Mexican Bicentenario 2010 playoffs this spring, and hope to surpass that performance in their upcoming domestic campaign. To kick things off on the right foot, Pumas hope to build some momentum in SuperLiga, but they must do so without Mexico internationals Pablo Barrera and Efraín Juárez.
New England enter the tournament, which they won back in 2008, on the heels of a surprising 2-0 home victory over MLS table-toppers Los Angeles Galaxy in league play on Saturday.
The Revolution will look to carry that form through to this match as they seek to rebound from a disappointing first half in MLS. Victories against quality opposition in SuperLiga will undoubtedly lift their spirits and could possibly lead to a reversal of fortunes for them.
New England Revolution
Revolution boss Steve Nicol may opt to make a few selected changes to the side that defeated the Galaxy.
One such change will be enforced – Jason Griffiths (left hamstring strain) isn't available – but Nicol will ponder others as he seeks to rotate his squad and keep players fresh for the second half of the MLS campaign.
And, while Nicol hopes Steve Ralston will have some part to play in the subsequent group matches, the veteran playmaker isn't expected to feature against Pumas even though his presence would help the Revs as they seek to improve their work in possession. New England opted for a more direct approach to dispatch Los Angeles, but Nicol believes his side will have to pass the ball with regularity in order to advance in this competition.
“It's going to be more about keeping the ball than anything else,” Nicol said. “That's the key to winning this tournament: Keeping the ball.”
According to team captain Shalrie Joseph, the Revs will have plenty of incentive to carry their form from Saturday into SuperLiga play.
“We came out ready and we knew we needed the three points,” Joseph said. “It felt like our backs were against the wall in some respects. To play a team like that and get three points at home, it was huge for us. Hopefully, it will help us move on into the game [against Pumas] and hopefully into the MLS season.”
Pumas UNAM
Recently appointed manager Guillermo Vásquez will have to cope without several anticipated regulars, including Juárez (linked to Scottish giants Celtic) and Barrera (sealed a $6 million move to West Ham United), who didn’t travel with the squad.
“The reality is that Pablo [Barrera] brought a lot to the team,” current Pumas and former Chivas USA star Francisco Palencia said. “He’s an excellent player and we’re happy that he could accomplish his goal of playing abroad. [But] we have players talented enough…that can fill his spot.”
While Vásquez may have to shuffle his pack a bit to compensate for those absences, he still boasts a considerable wealth of talent at his disposal. Former Pachuca standout Juan Carlos Cacho and Palencia offer a couple of familiar names up front, while Mexican international Israel Castro and Paraguay international Darío Verón could also play some part despite recently concluding their World Cup duties.
Verón and his teammates will have to adapt their game to the artificial surface at Gillette Stadium, and the possibility of thunderstorms could make the unfamiliar surface even more difficult to handle. But Verón said he doesn't expect the foreign turf to impact the match.
“The field should not affect in any way our performance, although it does create some differences in the way the ball bounces and moves,” he said. “Still, we are prepared to play on that surface and we hope it does not become a factor. We are going to make our best effort to get all the points from this game.”
Although this match serves Pumas as a means of preparing for the upcoming Mexican season, Castro said he and his teammates will push those priorities to the side and enter SuperLiga with the hope of lifting the trophy in late August.
“This tournament is not for our preseason,” Castro said. “In our minds, the season starts tomorrow with this tournament.”
