Revolution Notebook: Matt Polster Role Revealed, Arena On Seeing Red

On Wednesday the New England Revolution hosted their first media availability post-MLS is Back with the media chatting with Bruce Arena, Matthew Polster, and Alexander Buttner. A number of topics came up including the role Polster might have with the Revs, what happened when Arena was showed a red card, MLS is Back award winners, and the road ahead.

Matt Polster‘s Role Revealed

While the Revolution were busy trying to advance in the MLS is Back Tournament the front office staff was busy acquiring midfielder Matt Polster from the Rangers. Polster who has MLS experience with the Chicago Fire can play both on the backline and in the midfield. During his media availability, Bruce Arena stated Polster will be used in the No. 6 role with the Revs.

“Matt we’re going to use in the No. 6 position. He’s a player that has experience in our league, which I think is important. I think he’s a good winner of the ball in the midfield. I think he’s a good passer. Being next to Steven Gerrard for a year can only be a plus. As we all know, Steven is a manager with a tremendous background as a player in his first couple years in management, but I’m sure he was able to offer some words of wisdom to Matt in the year that he was with the Rangers. From what I see of Matt now, he looks like a better player than he was when he departed the Chicago Fire. That’s a real plus. A lot of credit to the Rangers and Steven Gerrard.�?

Just how fit is Polster having not played a competitive match since March?

“It’s obviously a short spell with a lot of games,” said Polster on the rapid pace at which MLS will play games this season. “I’m ready for it. I think it’s going to be intense and I think it’s going to be tough. I think the sessions here haven’t been very easy whatsoever, so I think going into these games I’ll definitely be fit. It’s now just being able to recover quick enough to play the next game. I think that’s going to be the biggest thing for me. I am getting close enough to that 90-minute range and when those games come, I know I’ll be ready.�?

What Happened When Bruce Arena Saw Red

Following the end of the Philly versus New England match Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Area got a little hot under the collar. Arena who was displeased in the officials decision to not give the Revs a corner kick to end the game said some expletives to the officials. That tirade resulted in the former USMNT Head Coach being handed a Red Card.

 “I just spoke in an inappropriate way to the referee at the end of the game and was deserving of a red card,” said Arena on the incident. “It was based on some things built up but at the end of the game. When we weren’t granted the corner kick at the end of the game, it set me off a bit. I made a mistake, I deserved a red card and we’ll leave it at that.�?

MLS is Back Award Winners:

Golden Boot Winner: Diego Rossi, LAFC

MLS is Back Young Player of the Tournament: Diego Rossi, LAFC

Golden Glove: Andre Blake, Philadelphia Union

New England goalkeeper Matt Turner was up for the award but received just 2.78% of the total vote which was split between the media and the fans.

On This Date: 1-2-0 All-Time on 8/13

2005: 2-1 win at FC Dallas

2011: 3-1 loss at Columbus Crew

2016: 4-0 loss to Philadelphia Union