Jermaine Jones Signing Makes New England Revolution Playoff Contenders

By Baxter Colburn | Aug 24, 2014

Jun 21, 2014; Manaus, BRAZIL; USA midfielder Jermaine Jones during training at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jermaine Jones is a member of the New England Revolution.

Honestly, there was never a time in my life that those words ever seemed possible. Now that it really has happened and New England fans, myself included, could not be happier. Because Jones is a part of the Revolution now, the idea of New England making the 2014 MLS Cup playoffs just got a lot better.

The Revolution are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Qualifying for the 2014 MLS Cup playoffs is very much in sight, but is it realistic? The answer is simple, yes, the Revs will make the playoffs, largely because of Jones and Lee Nguyen. With Jones and Nguyen pairing together in the midfield with Diego Fagundez and Teal Bunbury, the Revs are incredibly dangerous. Even if those two are not playing, Steve Neumann, Diago Kobayashi and Kelyn Rowe are all perfect matches.

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Jones made a name for himself at the 2014 FIFA World Cup because of his hustle, play making abilities and his powerful shot. Combine those three elements with Nguyen, Rowe and Fagundez, and you are looking at one dynamic and dangerous midfield.

The incredible work ethic of Jones makes him perfect to mentor the young and talented players that New England owns. His experience playing for the highest level of European futbol, mixed with his tenure with the United States National Team, make him perfect to train potential USMNT midfielders of the near future.

Currently, New England is sixth, the New York Red Bulls are fifth and the Columbus Crew are fourth, in the Eastern Conference. Right behind all of those clubs, are the Philadelphia Union in seventh place. All four teams will battle it out for the fourth and fifth place playoff spots.

Aug 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution midfielder/forward Lee Nguyen (24) controls the ball during the first half against Chivas USA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Bulls cannot be stopped, leaving just one spot remaining. Columbus is fighting hard to keep their playoff spot, but it is only a matter of time before the Red Bulls jump over them and push them out of the running.

New England plays 10 more matches to close our their 2014 season. Two of which are against the Crew, two are against the Montreal Impact, two are against Sporting Kansas City, two are against Toronto FC, and the last two are against the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo.

At a fast glance, New England can easily get at least 12 points, the rest really are toss-ups. The six matches between TFC, Columbus and SKC are absolutely crucial and must-win situations. With Jones signing today, the odds are in favor of New England, but the rest of the squad must match his level of play.

Overall, the signing of Jermaine Jones does make the Revs a true playoff contender. Any team facing New England from here on out will see tremendous attacking ability from the Revs and many more defensive stops. This signing will pay off and the Revs will make the 2014 MLS Cup playoffs.