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3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 3-2 loss vs. Nashville SC
New England started well in each half, but couldn't maintain the momentum.
The Revolution lost 3-2 to Nashville SC at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night. It was as disappointing a result as New England has endured in 2025.
Facing a Nashville side missing several players due to injury and international duty, it appeared to be golden opportunity to get a win at home against a quality opponent. Yet despite taking multiple leads in the game, the Revolution squandered each advantage, eventually succumbing to a quick succession of second half goals from the away side.
With the loss — a second in a row at home — New England remains below the playoff line in 11th place of the Eastern Conference.
Here are a few takeaways:
Good starts to both halves
With forwards Leo Campana and Ignatius Ganago unable to start due to injuries (though Campana was on the bench), Revolution head coach Caleb Porter chose Tomás Chancalay and Maxi Urruti to play up top in the now familiar 3-4-1-2 formation.
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Chancalay, one of the team’s Designated Players, certainly looked the part in the opening minutes of the first half. In the 15th minute, he made a vertical run that caught the eye of New England captain Carles Gil on a restart after a foul just inside the Revolution half of the field.
Gil struck a perfectly weighted pass over the top of the defense, which Chancalay took out of the air skillfully with his right foot before lashing the ball into the net with his left.
From that point in the first half, New England fell into a lull (from which they eventually yielded an equalizer before halftime).
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But at the start of the second half, Porter’s team once again came out flying. Pushing to gain (and then retain) possession, the energy culminated with a second goal, this time from center-back Brayan Ceballos.
Ceballos has been close earlier in the season on set piece opportunities, and made no mistake on Chancalay’s in-swinging cross from a free kick. Having gotten around his marker, the Colombian defender scored on an emphatic header.
Still, the good starts to both halves were both high-water marks for New England, as the team failed to maintain its momentum in each case.
Defensive lapses have returned
After taking a refreshing hiatus from chronic defensive mishaps following the formation switch in April, it appears increasingly clear that the virtues of 3-4-1-2 are starting to wear thin. Since May 10, New England has yielded 14 goals in all competitions (seven games in total).
And as was once again the case on Wednesday, the Revolution surrendered three goals (the fourth time that’s happened since May).
In specific terms, the absence of Matt Polster (out due to illness) was conspicuous. The veteran midfielder adds bite and tenacity to New England’s entire team when he’s on the field, obviously an important component of defending.
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Too often on Wednesday, Nashville midfielders were allowed to either advance the ball upfield or simply hold it in New England’s half relatively unencumbered. And while there are systemic reasons for that — one player, even Polster, can’t be expected to press every opponent — the 32-year-old often leads the charge. Without his tone-setting presence, the Revolution wilted after going behind in the second half.
Revolution need more from Campana
On the other end of the field, the pronounced issues of goal-scoring (and chance creation) that existed even during the increasingly distant unbeaten streak remain a major concern.
Chancalay’s goal was undoubtedly a reassuring sign, as he has looked increasingly like his pre-ACL injury self in recent games.
The other forward position (assuming Porter sticks with the current formation) is absolutely up for grabs. The obvious candidate is Campana, the 24-year-old who the team spent a record $2.5 million in guaranteed General Allocation Money on to acquire in the offseason from Inter Miami.
Multiple hamstring injuries have so far slowed the center forward, limiting his minutes. Yet even when he’s been on the field, New England fans are yet to see anything close to his best.
Campana entered the fray in the 65th minute on Wednesday, yet totaled just eight touches on the ball, according to FotMob. Only winger Luis Diaz had fewer touches, and he was subbed on 15 minutes after Campana. Needless to say, he managed zero shots.
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Similarly to the defensive issues, New England’s problems creating chances are systemic, and blaming Campana alone would certainly be unfair (particularly given that he’s just returning from the second hamstring injury).
Still, it’s clear that the Ecuadorian — who two goals in 10 appearances — is a crucial piece in what’s arguably the most important part of the team (scoring goals). How he manages over the next few months will likely have a determinative effect on the Revolution’s playoff prospects.
Anyone who doubts this needed only to look across to Nashville’s side of the field, where center forward Sam Surridge totaled a hat-trick. The tally now takes him to 15 on the season (most in MLS), and is obviously a huge reason why Nashville is near the top of the standings.
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