Giacomo Vrioni's Brace Secures Fourth Straight Win For The Revs

Porter on Vrioni: "He looked like a top striker today.”

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

Giacomo Vrioni’s brace propelled the New England Revolution to a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.

The striker now has three goals in two games and five tallies on the year.

“I think he's gaining confidence,” Caleb Porter said. “All season long he's gotten in great spots and worked really hard, held the ball up really well, and battled for aerial duels. His movement has always been good. He’s always in great spots.

“I think we're finding him as well. I think when you look at kind of the goals, Ema [Boateng]'s cross, that was a great cross into [Vrioni]. He needs service, so I thought that was a big part of it.”

The first strike was a left-footed bid from outside the box and the second was a header from around the penalty spot.

Vrioni was also active with his hold-up play, winning the most fouls (5) and the most duels (10).

The 25-year-old attacker’s hold-up play was critical in creating his first goal. He also drew the foul that resulted in Obinna Nwobodo getting his second yellow card.

Saturday’s performance was a product of Vrioni staying motivated and confident.

“I try to do my best every time,” Vrioni said. “I work hard every day, morning and afternoon. It’s all about, for me, work hard, having discipline, perseverance.

“I’m happy, honestly, because, like I said before, today was very, very tough. But we believed it. We believed it. We had a strong mentality coming here today in Cincinnati to win the game.”

Porter has expressed faith in Vrioni since arriving as the Revolution’s head coach.

Last year Vrioni had six goals and two assists in 29 appearances (13 starts). This year he has five goals and one assist in 16 appearances (15 starts).

“I always believe in players,” Porter said. “I'm honest with them. It’s tough love with me sometimes, but I love all my players, always. I give them everything I have.

“That doesn't mean that I'm not going to demand more from them or ask more from them or frankly, hold them accountable or at times call them out. At the end of the day, they need that and that's my leadership style, but I can do that too, because I'm close with them and I love them all. I love all my players and this is my life. I give them everything I have every single day, as I do it for the players.

“So, I've given a lot to Giacomo because I do care for him and I do believe in him. What was missing was his own confidence, which as a coach, you can't give a player confidence. They have to find their own inner confidence and I'm proud that he's had a tough mentality through the lows and he's finally found that inner confidence, and he looked like a top striker today.”

Vrioni appreciates the support that Porter has given him.

“I have to say thank you to [Porter] because he trusted me since the first day,” Vrioni said. “I believe in him and we believe him, in his new ideas to play. We have to keep going because now comes the beautiful part where we have to maintain this freedom. We can improve, yes. We can improve, of course. This is what we have to do.”

The Revolution are no longer at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and currently sit two points from a playoff spot.

Of course, they know there’s still work to be done.

“Now comes the most difficult part, that’s maintaining the same mentality and rhythm,’ Vrioni said. “This is what we have to do, because we believe in what we’re doing with our coach, we believe in our abilities, and we have to keep going because now comes the beautiful part. We’re happy but we’re hungry now.”