An early mistake in the second half put the New England Revolution in a hard spot, as they ultimately lost 2-0 at home to Los Angeles FC.

Team defending prevented Denis Bouanga, Son Heung-Min, and LAFC from getting on the scoreboard in the first half.

Offensively, the Revs had a few looks. The first came in the 11th minute when Leo Campana hit a shot at Hugo Lloris. Seven minutes later, Ignatius Ganago had a back-post header that Lloris pushed away.

Campana had another opportunity in the 35th minute, but his left-footed effort from outside the box went wide.

“I thought the first half was excellent,” head coach Caleb Porter said. “We made it a very tight game. They had no shots on goal. They had two shots, total. That put us in a great position going in the second half, being at home.”

LAFC were dangerous after the break, starting with Son’s shot in the 50th minute that was narrowly off the mark. A turnover moments later allowed Mark Delgado to score his third of the year.

“That start of the second half is just so disappointing that we give away a silly goal like that, that we don't manage their level, raising their press,” Porter said. “We don't manage those 10 minutes, and that now puts us in a position down 1-0.”

The Revs continued to fight, producing a pair of shots from distance. Their best chance to equalize was in the 87th minute when Brandon Bye played a cross into the path of Tomas Chancalay, but Lloris was again up to the task.

While Son failed to score a header in the 92nd minute, he did assist Mathieu Choiniere in the 94th. The last-second goal secured a 2-0 win for LAFC.

The game felt similar to other cagey affairs this year. Eight of the Revs’ 12 losses have been by a single goal, with Montreal and LAFC scoring late to pad the scoreline. Three of the Revs’ seven wins have been by one goal.

“I know it's crazy to say this late in the year, but we haven't been able to put a 90 minute-plus performance, a complete performance, together,” Porter said. “We're in every game.”

The Revs are currently 11 points below the playoff line with eight games to go. The club could miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

“I think it’s difficult —not just for me, but for everyone,” Carles Gil said. “In the last two years, we’ve lost many games. We don’t win a lot, so it’s difficult to say we’re in a good way. We need to be honest: the reality is that we need to change things.

“For me, for example, we’re far from this team (LAFC). And not just them, but the best teams [like] Columbus, Miami, etc. Right now we’re not there. Hopefully we can be soon.”

The Revs still have time to make additions since the summer transfer window is open until August 21st. When asked if news could be coming soon, Porter said, “I think it looks pretty good. We’ll see, though.”

The team has been actively pursuing 21-year-old striker Dor Turgeman, who had 15 goals in the Israeli Premier League last year.