Kei Kamara is reportedly staying back in New England with his wife, awaiting the birth of their child, and will miss the Revs match in Seattle.
Kei Kamara (wife expecting child) did not travel with New England squad to Seattle for tomorrow night's game at CLink, per #MLS source.
— Kyle McCarthy (@kylejmccarthy) April 28, 2017
While Kamara hasn’t set the league on fire during his DP contract with the Revs, he does have two goals and an assist this season, and he creates havoc for defenders. The Seattle Sounders put him in their pocket last year in denying him any goals or assists in his two matches against the Rave Green (one with Columbus, one with New England). The striker is still a danger who finds goals.
In the lone match Kamara didn’t start up top, Juan Agudelo partnered with Lee Nguyen in a 4-3-1-2. Daigo Kobayashi likely slides into the defensive midfield, pushing Kelyn Rowe into the CAM role, as Nguyen goes up top. The Revs will be missing Kamara’s aerial ability, speed, and propensity to pop in the penalty area. Of Kamara’s 21 shots on the season, 16 have been within the penalty box. New England’s next two goalscoring threats combine for only 16 in the area.
Seattle has shown an ability to shut down opposing attacks, no matter the combination of defenders. (Tony Alfaro and Jordy Delem have both started in the two shutouts.) With New England missing their most dangerous striker, it should become even easier, and allow for a more offensive focus from the Sounders.