The New England Revolution are unbeaten in nine straight matches following Saturdayās 3-0 win at CF MontrĆ©al, in large part thanks to their young wingbacks Peyton Miller and Ilay Feingold.
Miller, 17, and Feingold, 20, have been an important cog in manager Caleb Porterās 3-5-2 formation. The young pair provide important width for the Revolution, but more importantly, have shown the ability to take over matches.
The pair combined for all three of New Englandās goals against a 10-man MontrĆ©al side, each picking up an assist, without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities.
Feingoldās brace was the first by any New England player since captain Carles Gilās two-goal output vs. the New York Red Bulls in March. The Israeli international was acquired in January on a U22 Initiative deal.
āThey still have a lot of areas they need to improve in, but they have as much talent and potential as any wingback in the league,ā head coach Caleb Porter said of his young wide players. āThatās exciting because theyāre only going to get better and better.ā
Millerās defensive play was especially impressive. The teenager won six of his 10 duels through the match along with three tackles and two interceptions as MontrĆ©al looked to target the homegrown product.
The performance came on the heels of Miller being named to the USA U-20 national team with an eye on the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile this fall.
āThey are a key for us,ā Gil said afterwards. āTo be able to play in our formation, we need them.ā
Saturdayās win wrapped up a grueling stretch for New England, their eighth match across all competitions in May. They survived the gauntlet with 10 of a possible 18 points, putting them just outside of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs picture.
āThatās a five-point week with three road games; thatās nine unbeaten in a pretty brutal stretch,ā Porter said.