Caleb Porter Discusses What He Learned In Loss To Columbus
Porter: “We have to continue to improve. We have to continue to add players.”
The New England Revolution faced a difficult final two games of 2024 with away trips to the Columbus Crew and Inter Miami CF.
With the Revs eliminated from playoff contention, head coach Caleb Porter viewed these outings as an opportunity to learn what his team needs in the off-season.
The Revs played the Crew on Saturday, losing 4-0 at Lower.com Field. DeJuan Jones and Alex Matan scored the first two goals in the opening 15 minutes. Matan struck again in the 64th and 72nd minutes.
“Obviously a good team, Columbus,” Porter said. “We knew going into the match it was going to be a very difficult game, which it was. Obviously two early goals given up, that doesn't help. I just thought as a whole, we didn't win enough of the one-versus-one duels on either side of the ball.”
Porter said the Revs “were second-best today.”
The Crew, currently second in the Eastern Conference, have been the standard bearers over the last two seasons, having lifted the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024.
“They were the better team,” Porter said. “The guys worked hard. Honestly, they worked hard. Just Columbus showed their quality. That's why they won the game.”
Porter said the result proved that Columbus is “definitely ahead of us with where they’re at.” He added, “We have to continue to improve. We have to continue to add players.”
With the off-season looming, Porter was asked what he learned from the game. He started by talking about depth.
Both teams were missing players due to the international window. Columbus was without Mohamed Farsi, Taha Habroune, Nicholas Hagen, Cucho Hernandez, and Patrick Schulte while the Revs were without Alhassan Yusuf, Xavier Arreaga, and Esmir Bajrakatervic. Carles Gil was also out due to injury.
“I think we learned we need a bit more depth, because obviously with some guys out we had other guys step in, the threes a little bit in a few spots, key spots,” Porter said. “I felt like it looked that way at times, but then also, we have some key guys playing today, and I want to see more. I want to see more out of some of those guys.”
Porter then transitioned to the attack. The Revs have scored 35 goals in 2024, tied with Nashville SC as the worst mark in MLS.
“We have guys that are DPs who need to score goals, and that's the reality,” Porter said. “I felt like again, in the attack, with the way they play, there were opportunities for the front guys to be in situations where they could hurt Columbus, because of how aggressive they play in the attack and how much they leave these one-versus-ones, but I didn't think we showed enough quality.”
Porter ended by talking about the backline. The Revs have conceded 68 goals, the second most in the league. They’ve also allowed multiple goals in 20 of their 33 games.
“Then defensively, we need to continue to, for me, get guys who can win one-versus-ones, because in order to beat a team like Columbus, you're going to have to be in one-versus-ones, because the way they load your back four, and they push five guys up,” Porter said. “There's no way to avoid those one-versus-ones. I just didn't think individually, versus their guys, that we showed enough today.”
The Revs conclude the 2024 season next week when they face Inter Miami.
The FO will give Porter 1 more year? It looks like he has already lost the locker room. He certainly has lost the Fort.
We teach our kids to learn from their mistakes, and to grow from them. I have seen no growth from Onalfo and Porter, and certainly not from the squad. Something needs to change before the start of next season.
‘Porter said the Revs “were second-best today.”’
Caleb Porter, Master of the obvious. Please go.