Porter on ‘Zolak & Bertrand’: “I just want to win the next game”
Summertime in New England always seems to brighten the moods. For the New England Revolution, it has brought a return to winning ways.
The Revs have rattled off four straight wins, most recently dispatching reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winner FC Cincinnati, 2-1, on the road last Saturday. With the result, New England finally climbed out of the Eastern Conference doldrums and sits two points back of the final playoff spot with two matches in hand and half a season still to play.
With momentum on their side, the Revolution look to stay unbeaten in the month of June when they host the 2023 MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. Caleb Porter, who led Columbus to an MLS Cup title in 2020 during his previous four-year stint with the club, joined ‘Zolak & Bertrand’ on Thursday afternoon to discuss his resurgent Revs and facing his former club for the first time.
“This team and Miami are the best two teams we’ve played this year,” said Porter of his former club. “I think the first time you play your former team it’s a little different. I am proud of my time there. I’m proud of winning a trophy and putting a star on the badge. But right now, I’m really proud to be a part of this club and I’m focused on getting this team, the New England Revolution to hopefully a trophy someday.
“I just want to win the next game, that’s our mindset.”
While the results on the field have been positive as of late, New England has been battling the injury bug with several key players missing time in recent weeks. Dylan Borrero and Mark-Anthony Kaye have missed matches recently with minor ailments. In his press conference on Thursday, Porter also revealed Carles Gil is questionable for the weekend’s match with a knock as well.
The Revs were dealt a bigger blow on Thursday as Tomás Chancalay was placed on the Season-Ending Injury List and is set to undergo surgery on a partially torn ACL. Chancalay, a Designated Player, had been sidelined since May 25 after finding the scoresheet in his three prior appearances.
“He’s a good player and we feel for him,” said Porter. “And he’s a designated player. We only get three of those, so it’s a tough loss. But there’s a silver lining – he hasn’t been in when we’ve won these four games, so we’ve already been managing it without him.”
Although Chancalay’s impact will be missed, the summer transfer window is set to open in mid-July. Porter, who has already hinted at the team making multiple additions, is already anticipating bringing in attacking reinforcements.
“The league does allow you to replace the player in terms of their wages,” said Porter. “It’s kind of tricky. We don’t automatically now get a chance to replace a DP with another DP, but we definitely can use his wages, that cap freedom, to now go and add a player. We do expect in the summer transfer window to add a couple pieces, and certainly with him being out we’re going to look to add an attacking player.”
Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Columbus can be watched free 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).
