Caleb Porter to Zolak & Bertrand: Winning streak “doesn’t change a thing for us”
Saturday’s match for the New England Revolution marks the midpoint of the 2024 regular season that has already seen its fair share of ups and downs. After a slow start…
Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; (L-R) New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter and Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Vanni Sartini greet each other prior to the start of the match at Gillette Stadium.
Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY SportsSaturday’s match for the New England Revolution marks the midpoint of the 2024 regular season that has already seen its fair share of ups and downs. After a slow start to MLS play, New England has now won three straight matches, with the latest triumph coming last weekend against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 3-2.
While the team’s form has improved significantly, there is still a hill to climb to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference standings. However, the Revolution sit just four points back of the playoff line with two games in hand on most of the teams above them, leaving ample opportunity for a second-half surge. Head Coach Caleb Porter discussed the road ahead for the Revolution on ‘Zolak & Bertrand’ Thursday afternoon.
“Our guys know that we're playing better,” said Porter. “We're getting results, which is good, but they understand that we're midseason and we're still in a hole. It doesn't change a thing for us. We have to keep fighting and keep grinding.”
New England’s next two contests will serve as major tests for the Revolution. After visiting the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners, FC Cincinnati, this weekend, the Revs return home to face 2023 MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew SC. The latter will mark Porter’s first meeting against his former club since his departure after the 2022 season. Porter won the 2020 MLS Cup title with Columbus, eliminating the Revs in the conference final along the way.
“I like the challenge because it's midseason,” said Porter. “It's our 17th game. It's dead smack in the middle of the season for us and we'll really see, are we a contender? We're getting results, but can we compete with these top teams that are in first and second place in the league right now? So, I'm really looking forward to that.”
So, can the Revs reel themselves back into contention for a playoff spot?
Despite being in the basement of the Eastern Conference, New England has pulled off similar rescue acts before. The 2019 squad made the playoffs after a last-place, 2-8-2 start, while the 2014 team won the Eastern Conference crown despite enduring an eight-game losing streak midway through the season.
While Porter and his squad acknowledge it won’t be an easy feat, the Revs’ confidence has been steadily building toward a crescendo.
“We are right there. With our points per game, we're right there in the hunt,” said Porter. “We actually have one more win than seven teams in our conference. Just got to keep improving, that's the big thing, and keep fighting for points.”
Saturday’s match at FC Cincinnati kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at TQL Stadium and airs on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app in English and Spanish. Listen to the radio call with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM).
