New-look Revolution start strong defensively, but its up to the attack to find the goals that lacked a year ago
“This group has very high standards, and I would say that the way they feel right now is not satisfied, which I love."
A Revolution Opening Day victory only occurs a couple times a decade, so Saturday’s scoreless draw at Nashville SC — making New England 6-15-9 in 30 years of season openings — probably should’ve produced contentment.
That was not the case, though.
“This group has very high standards, and I would say that the way they feel right now is not satisfied, which I love,” Revolution coach Caleb Porter said after the game. “That’s what you want. You want a team that wants to win every game. But I think they also know that when you come on the road and you don’t find a goal, that you will take a draw.”
This is a significant change in attitude, coming off a 9-21-4 season in which, as Porter said, Saturday probably would’ve been a loss.
The Revolution needed a fresh start, and Porter ripped up the roster to create it. The alterations seemed positive amid signs of improvement defensively, though the jury remains out on the attack.
Porter began redesigning the defense a year ago, and holdover goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic seemed sharp, making saves on close-range attempts by Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge. Center backs Brayan Ceballos and Mamadou Fofana were solid in one-on-one situations, capable of recovering and confident in possession. As at outside back, Brandon Bye closed down the right side, and Ilay Feingold presented a strong presence playing out of position at left back.
There could become problematic. Both Peyton Miller and Will Sands missed more matches than they played last season, and were out with injuries Saturday.
In midfield, Jackson Yueill and Alhassan Yusuf showed tactical awareness and dependability with the ball in support of Carles Gil, who even got into the defending spirit with some risky challenges in the Revolution end. Wing play should be a strength via Ignatius Ganago and Luca Langoni, and striker Leonardo Campana appears to be an improvement on Giacomo Vrioni.
Porter’s approach and 4-2-3-1 alignment might not produce the pyrotechnics of predecessor Bruce Arena — who guided the San Jose Earthquakes to a 4-0 rout of Real Salt Lake in his first MLS game since being placed on administrative leave in 2023. But the Revolution hired Porter because they believe he will bring consistency, especially in the postseason, when conservative, hard-charging defensive play is often rewarded.
First, though, the Revolution must prove they are playoff-worthy.
“We’re building from a strong defensive foundation,” Porter said. “For us to get a clean sheet on the road, we didn’t do that very many games last year. So, what I see out of the group [Saturday] in terms of mentality, in terms of strength, in terms of being steady — and really, in the end, we’re the ones pushing to try to win, which I loved.
“Our attack will come. We’ve got players that will score goals, and always, it’s easier to destroy than create. Early in the year, again, you want to have a strong foundation to build from defensively, which we’re building, and that confidence defensively. I’m not worried about the goals; that will come.”
Last season’s Revolution lacked resourcefulness, but it could be different this time. This was the group’s first competitive game; contested on the road, in 30-degree temperatures. Several Revolution players have been in the Boston area for only a few days, which leaves them unsettled, but also unburdened by the team’s past.
Most were not born when the Revolution started play with a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996. Before Saturday, only Bye and Gil had competed in a Revolution season opener.
It should be noted Nashville doesn’t figure to be a contending team, despite a rugged defense and an offense sparked by Mukhtar, a former league MVP. Last year, the Revolution went 2-0-1 against Nashville.
A tougher test awaits in Saturday’s home opener against Columbus. Last season, the Revolution lost two to the Crew, 5-1 and 4-0. A tie would be considered progress, though the Revolution have compiled a 17-7-5 record in home openers.
“I think the attackers will be disappointed not to score, but that’s good. I love that going into next week, because the backs are feeling good and we have to play Columbus, who has been one of the best attacking teams in the league,” Porter said. “So, it’s nice that our back four is confident and it’s nice that our attackers are a little ticked off and they want to score next week.
“I love that this group wants to win every game they play, and they’re disappointed they didn’t get the win. But we’re back at home for two [matches] and we go for the 3 points next week, and we’re off to a pretty good start in the first two games if we do that.”
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