FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It was a great week for Kei Kamara.
The New England Revolution striker and his wife welcomed their second child, a baby boy, on Friday morning, then Kamara scored a goal and added an assist in his squad’s 4-0 rout of a depleted Real Salt Lake side at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
Kamara, who did not travel to the Revs’ last two matches as his wife’s pregnancy neared its end, also marked the first anniversary of his trade from Columbus Crew SC on Friday. In short, a whirlwind.
“I wanted to be back in there, be part of the team and really help the team to what we want to do, which is to win,” Kamara said. “Today, to be back in there, that was the mindset. I’m just happy we came out with a great win like that. Not a win with one goal, a win with that many goals – it really cheered the fans up.”
The 32-year-old, who now has three goals on the year, made quick work of a RSL side that altogether was missing 10 players to international duty or injury.
It all started in the 18th minute when Kamara, as he is wont to do, rose highest to dispatch a Lee Nguyen corner kick past goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel. Then, with the Claret and Cobalt reeling, the Sierra Leone native returned the favor, setting up Nguyen for the home side’s fourth tally.
“It’s always great to have Kei back,” Nguyen said. “He’s a big presence for us out there, and he did well today. At the same time, I felt like this was a great team performance, getting the shutout and getting four goals.”
Kamara, who said earlier in the season that he is still adjusting to his role on coach Jay Heaps’ squad, seemed in his groove from the get-go, operating in his customary target forward role. He still flared to the wing and dropped deep to combine, but his constant danger kept RSL’s center back tandem of Aaron Maund and Chris Wingert pinned back.
From that, Kamara said his comfort level is gradually growing with each passing game.
“It’s still coming along,” Kamara said. “It’s all about everyone together. It’s not about one guy on this team, which is good. There’s no pressure saying, ‘You must score, you must do this.’
“ … For me, I’m working inside and out of the locker room really trying to establish myself,” Kamara added. “I’m not just a player that goes on the field and that’s what it’s all about. I connect with the fans, and if I’m feeling good and feeling at home and really making myself and family [comfortable] on and off the field, I’m at my best.”
That surely is music to the Revolution faithful’s ears, as the win over RSL kickstarted a stretch of seven of their next 11 games at home. For a squad that’s near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, a thriving Kamara is only a good omen.
Even if his new child means some sleepless nights are in store.
“Who sleeps these days? No one does,” Kamara said with a laugh. “They told me after one, then two. forget sleep. But hey, I’m a vampire.”
