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3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 1-0 loss vs. FC Cincinnati
New England's nine-game unbeaten run in MLS came to an end.
The Revolution lost 1-0 at home against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, ending a nine-game league unbeaten run. New England fell to 6-5-5 in 2025, remaining just below the current playoff line.
A goal from Cincinnati striker Kévin Denkey provided the difference, as the 24-year-old roofed a perfectly placed low cross from teammate Luca Orellano in the 26th minute.
From a Revolution standpoint, the game was another showcase of the current quality around the pitch, with the conspicuous exception of the striker position. Missing both Leo Campana and Ignatius Ganago due to injuries left New England bereft of goal-scoring quality.
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Here are a few takeaways:
Unbeaten run comes to an end against a quality opponent
Riding a nine-game MLS unbeaten run heading into the team’s first home game since May 17, Caleb Porter’s team seemed to be in perfect position to get a result against a quality opponent.
New England’s last loss prior to the recent season-saving streak was also against Cincinnati, coming on the road way back on April 5. In that game (also a 1-0 defeat), New England was playing without Campana due to a hamstring issue.
On Saturday, the Revolution once again came up short in large part due to Campana’s absence (with yet another hamstring issue).
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Despite the defeat — and the end of the unbeaten run — the long-term outlook for New England remains a decent one. The Revolution went head-to-head with the second place team in the Eastern Conference, and were the protagonists for much of the night.
Yet the continued lack of goals remains a cause for concern.
Missing strikers were clearly a major factor
Obvious as it can be to once again point to Campana’s absence as the decisive factor in the game, that was largely the case for anyone paying even vague attention to the proceedings on Saturday.
It could be distilled to a single sequence from the 86th minute. Trailing 1-0, New England desperately sought a goal. Gaining possession near the halfway line, central midfielder Matt Polster struck a perfect cross-field pass to Carles Gil in the right corner.
The Revolution captain cut inside onto his favored left foot and looped another long ball back to the opposite side of the field. Left wing-back Peyton Miller deftly touched the ball back across goal in a well-orchestrated setup of what should have been a goal-scoring opportunity.
Yet the ball rolled harmlessly across the face of goal and nothing came of the buildup play. New England simply lacked a center forward who possessed either the instinct or the capability to make the right run at the right time to reach Miller’s cross. It was a single play, but it illustrated what has been a common refrain. New England remains a goal-scorer away from getting improved results.
Tomas Chancalay continues to look better with each performance.
Since returning to the field in April following his torn ACL in 2024, New England’s 26-year-old Designated Player has continued to build his fitness and form with each opportunity. Tasked with starting alongside Luis Diaz (normally a winger), Chancalay compiled 53 touches on Saturday, testament to his involved presence in the attack.
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Though he was unable to find the goal, Chancalay was at the center of several creative moments and registered three shots (the Argentine has never been afraid to unleash speculative chances at goal from anywhere on the field).
Looking toward the rest of the season, Chancalay’s continued progression back to his pre-injury level could be crucial. Other than Gil, he was the only player who consistently looked like he could engineer his own chances on goal.
Depending on how quickly Campana and Ganago can return to the lineup, New England might need Chancalay to lead the line up front (even if that isn’t his preferred role).
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