New England Revolution 0 - Toronto FC 1: 3 Thoughts

MLS is Back at Gillette

Photo By ©J. Alexander Dolan

The New England Revolution played its first MLS match at home on a lovely Sunday afternoon and suffered yet another loss in league play.

Caleb Porter rotated some new players into the starting XI as Ema Boateng, Esmir Bajraktarevic, and Noel Buck earned starts. Dave Romney, DeJuan Jones, Matt Polster, Tomas Chancalay, Carles Gil, Andrew Farrell, Henry Kessler and Henrich Ravas remained as starters after playing on Thursday

But what do you need to know about the Revolutions’ 2024 MLS home opener? Here are three thoughts.

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1 - Toronto’s A Threat

I was really impressed with Toronto’s performance on Sunday. They look like a much different team under John Herdman and could be a contender in the East.

Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi look completely bought in and on pace for an epic season. The former Napoli man unleashed a masterpiece of a goal in the 27th minute, chipping the ball into the top corner over Ravas.

You can’t even blame the goalkeeper for allowing the ball into the net. Prime Keylor Navas probably isn’t stopping the looping shot. Insigne essentially had the ball on a string.

Speaking of goalkeepers, Sean Johnson looked like he was in the prime of his career. I can not remember him having a better performance against New England in his career.

It seemed like Toronto was able to get into the final third with ease. At times it seemed like New England could do nothing to stop them from getting a quality opportunity.

So add Toronto to the long list of contenders in the East. The conference is as strong as this writer can remember.

2 - Replacement Refs

The big call that stands out is the non-penalty given early in the first half.

Bajraktarevic went to ground in the box and VAR came into play. On review it clearly looks as if the TFC defender makes contact with the youngster’s foot and essentially stomps on his boot.

Now it does appear that the defender makes contact with the ball but he still needs to control his movement. I’ll leave the definitive call to

Jake Catanese

but personally I think it is a pen.

It’s not the reason New England lost — Toronto was able to breeze into the attacking zone — but converting a penalty in the first 45 minutes would have completely changed the tempo of the game.

The call isn’t as bad as some other calls around the league but replacement refs continue to rear their ugly head on the beautiful game.

3 - New England Needs A Nine

This isn’t the first time that I have thought this but the Revs desperately need a No. 9. Maybe Giacomo Vrioni can be the guy but the depth at the position is concerning.

With Vrioni suspended on Sunday, Bobby Wood failed to make the bench. That left Chancalay with the duty of playing solo up top for 90 minutes ahead of a difficult Concacaf Champions Cup match against LD Alajuelense.

While it is difficult to go out and get a designated player talent but New England should be able to go out and get an MLS veteran. Having only two true No. 9 on your roster is not a plan for success in what is a grueling MLS season.

So New England remains winless in league play but will look to continue its positive play in CCC as they take on Alajuelense in the middle of the week.