Giacomo Vrioni: Back at full strength, Revs’ focus is “on the playoffs”
The New England Revolution know they have work to do in order to reach their goal of clinching their fifth playoff berth since 2019. New England sits five points behind the playoff line in the Eastern Conference standings with nine games remaining in its regular season.
The good news is the Revolution feel ready to meet the moment. Striker Giacomo Vrioni joined D.J. Bean on “The Soccer Show” this morning to share New England’s mentality in approaching the final stretch of the regular season.
With New England’s key attacking pieces back in the mix after battling injuries and newcomer Luca Langoni hungry to make an impact, the Revolution are set to play their best soccer as the playoff picture heats up.
“We feel good now,” Vrioni said. “Everyone is coming back from injury- me, Dylan [Borrero], Carles [Gil]. Luca now is also training and figuring out what the coach wants. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time for him to see what the coach wants. But we are good. I feel good and we are ready to play on Saturday.”
Vrioni leads New England with a team-best nine goals scored this season, including seven tallies over his last eight games played. The 25-year-old, who joined the Revolution in 2022, says New England’s intensity has reached a higher level in training as the team returns to full strength.
“With everyone now in the training, you can feel a different quality from before because everyone’s healthy,” Vrioni said. “We are more competitive, and the intensity is different. Everyone is trying to do their best to make a decision on the coach. That’s a good thing, for the coach to having a lot of players giving their best. That’s a good sign for me. Hopefully we continue like this. Our focus is on the playoffs.”
Adding Langoni to the team only gives New England even more reason to feel confident about what’s ahead for the Revolution. The 22-year-old Argentinian assisted Vrioni’s goal in New England’s 5-0 win over CF Montréal two weeks ago and netted his first MLS tally just minutes later.
“He’s an amazing guy, a very humble guy,” Vrioni said of Langoni, who was acquired last month on a club-record transfer fee. “I’m happy that he assisted my goal in Montreal. We understand each other. That’s good, the connection is important in the end in soccer. We are helping him integrate to the group. He will give us a good help.”
Although the heat of the playoff race brings no shortage of pressure, Vrioni and the Revolution will look to maintain an even-keeled mindset.
“You have to think positive,” Vrioni said. “If you think negative, it brings all the negative energy. If you are not ready for a chance, for example, if you think negatively, you’re going to miss it. If you think positive, maybe you can miss the first one but the second one you’re going to do it.”
New England hosts St. Louis CITY SC in the first-ever match between the two clubs tonight at Gillette Stadium. Watch the 7:30 p.m. kickoff on MLS Season Pass in English and Spanish. Listen here on 98.5 The Sports Hub with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the match.
