Zolak & Bertrand: Porter sees progress, but Revs have to “prove it” and “show it”
It has been an eventful week on the Revolution side of Patriot Place. After last week’s 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union, in which the Revolution played at a one-man disadvantage for more than 75 minutes after an early red card, the Revs’ record dropped to 2-9-1, and one could understand why new Head Coach Caleb Porter might be starting to feel the heat.
A tense exchange between Porter and a local reporter in Saturday’s postgame press conference was a sign that the pressure may be turning up inside New England’s clubhouse. During his Thursday chat with Zolak & Bertrand, Porter dismissed any reports of tension within the team and praised his side’s overall effort against Philly, despite the 14th-minute dismissal of Ryan Spaulding. In the coach’s eyes, the team is making a lot more progress than the results and standings would indicate.
“The guys actually fought really hard,” Porter said of the team’s response to the early red card. “Our two center backs actually played really well under the circumstances of the day. Our goalkeeper made seven saves. It’s just an impossible task.
“They’re fighting and they are growing. The last game is tough because we give up a red card [14] minutes in. There aren’t very many teams in the world ever that have won a game playing down a man for [76] minutes.”
The Revolution can’t hang their heads after last weekend’s loss, as another tough opponent makes its way to New England this Saturday. New York City FC is a team on the rise with six victories in its last seven games. The Bronx Blues have quickly climbed the ladder to third place in the Eastern Conference standings.
“You’re going to see what we would have shown last match if it was 11-v-11,” Porter said of excitement to see his squad at full strength for 90 minutes. “We’re making progress, the team is improving. We have to play well, but we’re going to make this right. We have the opportunity to show that. Obviously, we can say it, but we have to prove it and we have to show it.”
With multiple injuries across the roster, the Revolution have fought through their share of adversity this season. Finally, some important pieces are back in the picture. Forward Dylan Borrero made his first start of 2024 on Saturday, while defender DeJuan Jones is back in the picture after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Porter also gets one of his most dangerous attacking pieces back in the squad, as Argentinian forward Tomás Chancalay returns from a one-game suspension.
“We’re not getting much luck, but I do believe you make your own luck,” Porter said. “We’re going to make our own luck moving forward. We have an opportunity to make this right. This team is united. We’re together.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. Listen to the match live on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action.
