MLS Cup Remains The Goal For New England Revolution

“I think MLS Cup still."

Photo By ©J. Alexander Dolan

With the New England Revolution about to play their 17th game of the season, fans and pundits alike have a good sense of what this team is capable of.

The Revs enter their matchup against Lionel Messi’s new club (Inter Miami) in 4th place in the Eastern Conference. A hot start has kept them towards the top of the table even after serious injuries to Dylan Borrero and Henry Kessler, along with an extended absence from Gustavo Bou.

Bruce Arena touched upon how different New England looks compared to the start of the 2023 MLS season after training earlier in the week.

“Think of our team in the first half and the early parts of the season and what it is now,” the sporting director and head coach said. “It's changed, so every team has that a little bit. Us probably a little bit more because as we started the season, I think we had [Dylan] Borrero and [Henry] Kessler… But we've had some other players playing so it changes things.”

While things have changed for the New England Revolution, their goals and expectations have not. Left back DeJuan Jones still believes that New England can lift a trophy at the end of the season.

“I think MLS Cup still,” Jones said when asked about expectations for the second half of the season. “Once we get everyone back healthy and everyone's performing at the highest level, I think we have the talent to lift the trophy at the end of the season. So, it's just important to continue to pick up points, especially at home, and make the playoffs. then from there, we have to be focused and take care of business.”

If the Revs want to be an MLS Cup contender, they must start winning games. New England has failed to secure a win in its last six matches in all competitions including a loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship.

While acknowledging the poor play, Jones said a homestand at Gillette Stadium couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It's tough when you're not getting the results,” he said. “The guys are a little bit more frustrated, but that's when we have to really come together, and this homestretch is coming at a great time for us. So, I think for this week, we had a good day of training today, and we want to continue to build off this and have a good performance this weekend.”