Nick Lima on The Soccer Show: We just need to get the results going our way”
Over a third of the way through the 2024 MLS campaign, and safe to say things have not gone as planned thus far for the New England Revolution. With just two victories and seven points, the Revs find themselves in the basement of the Eastern Conference.
But MLS can be a fickle league.
Last year, Sporting Kansas City was winless through its first 10 games before turning things around and making a run to the Western Conference Semifinals. In 2016, the Seattle Sounders won MLS Cup after starting the season 5-10-2.
In New England, the 2019 squad made the playoffs after a last-place, 2-8-2 start, while the 2014 Revolution won the Eastern Conference crown despite enduring a eight-game losing streak midway through the season.
Revolution defender and MLS veteran Nick Lima joined host D.J. Bean on ‘The Soccer Show’ Saturday morning to discuss the team’s continued optimism through a difficult run of form.
“I firmly believe we can string a couple results together,” Lima said. “And this is largely a similar team, and if not more talented team, than what there was last year. So, we look to that foundation knowing that it’s in us and we just have to go find it.”
Lima, who has started 12 MLS contests this season, said the vocal presence of leaders like Carles Gil and Andrew Farrell – both long-time Revs – has been instrumental. While Farrell’s larger-than-life personality provides a voice, Gil leads by example through his effort and play on the pitch.
“There’s definitely guys to look toward on the team and emulate,” Lima said. “Guys are still trying and guys still want it. No one is throwing in the towel, and no one will. I think we all show up and we’re all ready to compete, and we definitely lean on those guys who are leaders and have been in this organization.”
While the results haven’t shown it, there have been some positives with New England’s play. The team is connecting passes and possessing the ball more effectively. The Revolution have had the fifth-most possession in MLS this season, and have completed more than 85 percent of their passes.
Offensively, Carles Gil is still one of the league’s leaders in chance creation, while Dylan Borrero’s return to full fitness has provided a much-needed spark up top.
“I think there are things to be optimistic about,” Lima said. “There’s moments in games, our quality of play, our chances created, and our ability to be dangerous with the ball. We just need to get the results going our way.”
With a trip to Nashville on the horizon, New England faces a team in turmoil that has started to turn the tides going 1-0-2 in the three matches – including a victory at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. The match will also feature two former Landon Donovan MLS MVP winners in Carles Gil and Nashville midfielder Hany Mukhtar. However, Lima feels Saturday’s match is ripe for the taking.
“It will be a good opportunity’” Lima said. “I’ve played in Nashville a couple of times, it’s a great place to play with a good field and a good team. They’re known for, obviously, what they had prior in their coach, their energy, and their fight. So, we’ve got to go match it and play our brand of soccer to get a result.”
Catch Saturday’s Revolution match at Nashville SC on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish at 8:30 p.m. ET. Listen to the match live on 98.5 The Sports Hub with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action.