FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Two months after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia injury, Jermaine Jones returned to the New England Revolution, playing 45 minutes in a scoreless draw with Columbus Crew SC .
The Revolution’s Designated Player, making his debut in his first full MLS season, was his typical self in the match, creating, defending and disrupting Columbus at every turn. After the game, he was his jovial, good-natured, opinionated self, touching on his return, his time played and the opposition, a club he became quite familiar with last season.
“Columbus is a team that talks a lot on the pitch,” Jones joked. “But for me it’s not a problem, I like it and I like the veterans [on Columbus]. They have a good team, they have some good players inside.”
The physical nature that Crew SC brings is what Jones craves, so having him come back in this particular match proved to be decent theater in a game without many standout plays. He also renewed his rivalry with Tony Tchani in the midfield, something that blossomed when the two got tangled together last season.
It happened again early in Saturday’s match, with Jones being booked for hard foul in the 12th minute of play after sliding at Tchani’s legs in an attempt for the ball.
“It happens when you talk too much,” said Jones with a sly smile that was coupled with respect. “I like the games [against Tchani]. He’s a good guy, he’s a good player, so I enjoy playing against him.”
Saturday wasn’t all about friendly ribbing for Jones, who was heavily involved in the flow the Revolution were able to get going in the first half.
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In the 25th minute he laid out a beautiful over-the-top, cross-field pass, into the wind, that found a streaking Teal Bunbury at the top of the box. Unfortunately for New England, nothing came of that play, nor the golden chance that Jones had at his feet in the 32nd minute when he collected the ball at the top of the six-yard box and fired a shot that a Crew SC defender stepped in to block.
After a full half of play under his belt, Jones gave way to Andy Dorman at the intermission as part of the club's prearranged plan.
“It was predetermined, 45 minutes,” said coach Jay Heaps. “He came through alright and now it’s about progressing him for more minutes.
Jones added: "It was a long time that I’m out from playing, so it was nice to be back on the field today. Of course I want to play more. I feel good the first half and hope that I can go 90 minutes next week.”
