New England Revolution Stretched Thin Against NYCFC

"So overall, I thought we defended well in the first half. I thought at times in the second half, we were just stretched out and they were able to break us."

Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution

The New England Revolution might have played in a tight pitch at Yankee Stadium but New York City FC was able to stretch out the Revolution and take advantage.

In the first half, New England was able to withstand New York’s attacks and create some itself but everything changed in the second half. Once the Revolution allowed one goal, New York smelled blood in the water.

The Pigeons second goal was a result of wearing down New England’s back line over the course of a match and after a turnover and a beautiful shot, NYCFC had a 2-0 lead.

Revolution head coach Caleb Porter pointed to the first goal as a pivotal moment in the match.

“So overall, I thought we defended well in the first half,” he said. “I thought at times in the second half, we were just stretched out and they were able to break us. We have to be patient. We have to make sure we stay organized. But again, I think you go down a goal and it's a different game. Now, we have got to on the road and open up a little bit more. I didn't think when chasing the game, we defended very well at all. But I thought up until the goal, we defended fine.”

Center back Henry Kessler also thought that the first goal was crucial as New England needed to push forward to try and draw level.

“I thought for probably the first 15 [minutes], they had the better chances,” Kessler said. “The next 20, we had a pretty even first half. They get a goal in the second half, then we push numbers forward. They get the late one, but maybe that's what [Caleb Porter] is referring to – when we stretch ourselves thin. We were pushing numbers forward trying to get the equalizer and that happened.”

While the scoreline might not reflect it, this was actually one of goalkeeper Henrich Ravas’ best performances in a Revolution uniform. He made multiple impressive saves in the second half and overall looked much more confident out on the pitch.

The two goals were no fault of his own. The strikes were so pure that they would have found the back of the net against any goalkeeper. Turnovers from New England’s back line didn’t help Ravas either.

Porter was pleased with Ravas after the match.

“I thought Ravas made a lot of good saves today,” the head coach said. “He showed more confidence. He was aggressive. I think it’s tough when you lose 2-0, but I don’t think either one of the goals was his fault. And to be honest with you, he made a bunch of saves to keep us in it.”

But with New England back at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, there isn’t a whole lot to be pleased with. If results don’t change soon, Porter’s job status could come into question.

A team that limped into the playoffs in 2023 is now staring at missing the postseason entirely. The talent appeared to be there last year but suddenly in 2024 it has disappeared.

If New England isn’t going to be known for its goal scoring it needs to be strong out of the back. Against NYCFC, the Revs just weren’t good enough.