New England Weekly Review: May 1, 2024
New England Weekly Review: May 1, 2024
The passing of the Messi-virus, some very bitter pills to swallow, and a weekend of expansion.
A win was a tough ask for the bottom-of-the-league New England Revolution, but Tomas Chancalay’s first-minute goal sparked false hope for fans. Fellow Argentine Lionel Messi went on to steal the show that had always belonged to him in front of the 65,000 fans who went to witness the magic Inter Miami have harnessed as the Revs lost 4-1.
If the Revs’ result was bad, Hartford Athletic faced a weekend to forget as they lost away to Louisville City FC 6-0.
Rhode Island FC hosted last year’s USL Championship champions Phoenix Rising FC and lost 1-3.
The Revs II enjoyed a proactive first half as they played their first game at the Mark A. Ouellette Stadium in New Hampshire as they beat Inter Miami FC II 3-1.
In other news around the weekend, the Portland Hearts of Pine was unveiled as a USL League 1 expansion team for the 2025 season. The club has reportedly received about 2,000 season ticket deposits for its inaugural season.
Here are some pointers that stuck out from the weekend:
Some Love For Clay Holstad
After scoring an absolute banger in the U.S. Open Cup third round, Clay Holstad reminded Rhode Island FC fans that he really can strike a ball this weekend.
His goal came too late to inspire a comeback, but it was one of those goals we don’t see enough.
With an indirect free-kick given in the 85th minute, Noah Fuson and Albert Dikwa stood over the ball as all 11 Phoenix Rising FC players flooded their box. Dikwa appeared to be complaining to the referee as the whistle was blown and Fuson placed the ball between Dikwa’s legs. Holstad ran onto the end of the pass and curled the call into the top corner to score.
Video courtesy of Rhode Island FC.
Holstad has been using his first seven games in a Rhode Island jersey to show off his shooting ability and going semi-viral for each goal. However, he’s been Khano Smith’s Swiss pocket knife, featuring in midfield and in the backline.
His passing range and work ethic make up for his lack of size in the back. Going forward, he has proved a threat in helping build-up play from the back.
He may not have the dribbling skill of Noah Fuson or Dikwa’s reputation around the league, but Holstad has been fundamental for Rhode Island FC this season.
For a bonus point, the indirect free-kick came from the Phoenix goalkeeper holding onto the ball in his own box for too long — a call that the referee made with the help of the Rhode Island fans counting down from the stands.
Revs II Expand and Kids Show Off
Revs II played their first of the eight games they will play in New Hampshire this season and taking a 3-1 win, it’s fair to say it was a success.
Being the same weekend that 65,000 people flocked to Gillette Stadium to watch Messi play in Foxborough and that the Portland Heart of Pine was revealed as Portland’s 2025 USL League 1 expansion, it’s a fair time to reflect on the growth of the sport in New England.
The growth of the sport reflects itself not just in the outreach that each team generates, but also in the talent coming through New England.
As the Revs found themselves facing some sort of illness this weekend, Revs II players J.D. Gunn, Santiago Suarez, and Jack Panayotou were all seated on the bench against Inter Miami.
Gunn actually had to sign a short-term professional contract right before the match in order to be eligible to feature on the bench. However, all three of these guys showed up the next day and played an extraordinary game for Revs II.
Suarez and Gunn led the backline in a nearly impeccable defensive game — save the goal they conceded in the 82nd minute.
In the attack, Panayotou pulled the strings in midfield and got all the players going forward involved. Panayotou played with such an ease as he created an abundance of chances in the first half.
As he scored a solo run in the 44th minute, Panayotou displayed many similarities to the dominance Esmir Bajraktarevic showed in the MLSNext Pro last year.
As the Revs II have been turning the season around and climbing up the table, they continue to look for their first clean sheet of the season.
This Saturday, they return to Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m. as they face the currently undefeated Chicago Fire II.
The “Don’t Listen to Everything You Read” Showdown
Three weeks ago, Caleb Porter led the New England Revolution to their first and only MLS victory in 2024. The game also created headlines for Porter’s slip-up with the media after promising the win.
This week Porter found himself in yet another sticky press conference situation.
Everything began when our very own Sam Minton asked Porter about the rumors reported by Tom Bogert of The Athletic regarding the Revs moving on Dave Romney.
Porter then refused to clarify the situation and Minton specified that it was a report from Tom Bogert.
To which Porter responded with: “Awesome, great. Don’t listen to everything you read. That’s what I’ll say.”
Ignoring the point that people can read without having to listen to the words out loud, it probably was not the wisest of answers before playing the Eastern Conference leaders.
After the game, Porter expressed comfort with the Revs’ defense and even claimed that the Revs “were limiting [Inter Miami’s] effectiveness at creating clear chances.”
Bogert took a chance to dunk on New England’s head coach.
While it is nice to know that there may not be any falling out between Porter and Romney, Porter doesn’t need all this negative noise from the press as pressure is mounting on him.
However, the last time Porter got himself into a back-and-forth through his press conference comment the Revs won in “the Promisico.” Perhaps the Revs can get their first win on the road this season and we can call the game “the Readico.”