Wow, what a way to end the 2025 season. It was a remarkable game, one that seemingly encompassed all of the good and bad things that have characterized the Revolution this year.
The good? A quick opening goal from midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, created by the Revolution’s pressing. It was the perfect way to open the final game of the season at home in Gillette Stadium against the Chicago Fire.
The bad? Immediately after scoring, the Revs retreated into their defensive nature. They could not shake their bad habits despite having nothing to play for and nothing to lose. They could have attacked all game long, playing to win or lose the game by a score of 5-4. Put on one last show for the fans and send everyone home entertained, hopefully happy with a win.
Instead, they never went for it. They regressed into their defensive shape and settled for defending their 1-0 lead. The opportunity to take charge was there. Chicago played poorly despite everything they had on the line for playoff positioning. The Revs should have taken control, but they didn’t. It’s a pattern we are all too familiar with.
The Fire eventually got an equalizer in the 82nd minute. The goal was coming; Chicago was attacking in waves before they found a way to break through keeper Matt Turner and the Revolution’s defense.
The good? New signing Dor Turgeman scored in the 96th minute off a Carles Gil free kick from outside the box. It was a fantastic header that put the Revs ahead in the dying moments of the game. Despite not playing well, it seemed the opening and closing brilliance from Yusuf and Turgeman would be enough to see the Revs take the three points.
The bad? Chicago scored to tie the game in the 99th minute. It was a strange moment, one that I found simultaneously horrifying and completely expected. That has been the story of the 2025 Revolution.
This is a team that is clearly flawed. The talent seems to be there. The injuries have taken their toll. The inexplicable mistakes and losses of concentration infuriating. The inability to keep a lead sadly predictable. All are hallmarks of a bad team. Let’s call a spade a spade. The 2025 Revolution were a bad team.
In a moment like this, at the end of two consecutive years of suck, it feels appropriate to look for someone to blame. The problem with a bad team is that the culprit is not always so clear.
The problem was the head coach. The problem was the roster construction. The problem was the team president. The problem was the owners. The problem was the injuries. The problem was the players. The mentality. The culture.
If the problem is everything, where do you start fixing things? The Revolution will need to begin with a head coach. Potentially a sporting director, as Curt Onalfo’s future with the club is not clear.
If the roster is indeed talented enough, maybe a coaching and culture change will be the key. Maybe that will get the Revolution back into the playoff picture.
Whatever ends up happening, I try to remind myself that this is a time to be hopeful. The future is unknown, but it could be bright. This is a moment of opportunity, one that could be pivotal for the club to move in the right direction.
It has been a tough year to be a Revolution fan. Too many losses to count, too many disappointing games and frustrating moments. There have been some highlights, from the occasional wins to seeing Andrew Farrell at Gillette stadium for what could be the last time.
The fans have been there all season. They were there at the death on Saturday night, cheering for their club and one of the legends of Revolution soccer. They deserve the chance to cheer on a winning side that plays attractive football. They deserve a chance to see their team lift MLS Cup.
30 years is a long time. 30 years of triumphs, losses, bad spells, despair, and happy memories. That is the beauty of sports, of soccer. We feel all the feelings. We have been through it all together.
As we close the book on the 2025 season, I hope that the coming years will bring more happy moments than sad. That the best is yet to come.
Thank you to everyone that has read these columns throughout this difficult season. Hopefully there will be happier stories and moments to share together next year.
Thank you John for another well written and thoughtful piece.
I so totally agree with every word!