Caleb Porter Talks About Options At Center Mid

Porter is specifically asked about Ian Harkes and Noel Buck.

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

While Matt Polster has been a regular in the starting lineup, he hasn’t always had the same players next to him in the midfield.

Polster has logged 845 minutes in the first eleven games he was available for across all competitions. The only match Polster didn’t start was Tuesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup outing against Club America and the FC Cincinnati league game he was sidelined for.

Noel Buck has four starts across all competitions (two in CCC, two in the league), Mark-Anthony Kaye has five (three in CCC, two in the league), and Ian Harkes has seven (three in CCC, four in the league).

Harkes started the last two league games: a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Fire and a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC.

“Our last two league games we drew and we won, so those are good results,” Head coach Caleb Porter said. “We're unbeaten in those two and Ian played both games. So, I'm really happy with his performances. He is tactically a smart player and he's good on the ball.”

While Kaye played 90 minutes against Cincinnati on Mar. 17 and two minutes against Charlotte on Apr. 6—he was unavailable for the Chicago game—Buck has only contributed six league minutes after playing 122 in the Revs’ first two games.

Buck did have two recent starts in Concacaf play, contributing 57 minutes against Alajuelense on Mar. 14 and 64 minutes against Club America on Apr. 9. He also played for the England U-19s on Mar. 21 and 24.

Still, things feel different after Buck offered 1,753 minutes in 25 appearances (20 starts) last year.

On Thursday, Porter was asked about Buck’s playing time and what he wants to see from the 19-year-old.

“Noel has gotten quite a few [games],” Porter said. “I think he started the first two league games if I'm correct and he's played a lot also in the Champions Cup as well. So, he's gotten quite a few minutes. If you remember, early in the year, he was the guy starting for us.

“I think he's got to step up. Honestly, he's a young player and he's talented, but he's got to take his chances and he's got to show that he can be a guy now in, I would call it, his second year where he's playing major minutes.

“Sometimes there's a sophomore slump, I've seen that with young players, and I think he's going through a little bit of some inconsistencies right now. We've chatted about that, him and I, but it's not an easy path as a young player. Sometimes, it's not linear.

“I've had good young players, Aidan Morris is one of them, and sometimes it's up and then it's plateau and then it's up again. So, it's not just automatic that they keep going and improving. It's a long process.

“So, I think he's going through that process a little bit this year – being more consistent and bringing to the game what he's good at. I think you will see it, but nothing's guaranteed and he's got to keep fighting for it.”

With 28 games left to play—plus Leagues Cup—there’s still plenty of time for Buck, Kaye, or any other player to increase their minutes.

Additionally, depth is important as games can come quickly, injuries happen, and form fluctuates.