Porter "Gutted" Revs Will Miss Playoffs, Optimistic About 2026

“I think we can be a team next year that finishes really high in the Eastern Conference. I believe that. I believe [we’re] very close. "

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

Despite likely missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter is optimistic about the future.

Porter became the ninth official head coach of the Revs just before the 2024 season. That team ultimately finished 14th in the Eastern Conference with 31 points (9-21-4).

The club remade the roster in the off-season, bringing in 16 players. Matt Turner and Dor Turgeman were inked during the Summer Transfer Window.

Turner quickly became the starter and has featured in six games. Turgeman has yet to arrive.

The Revs, who tied Toronto FC 1-1 on Saturday, aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with four games to go, but odds are dim as they sit ten points below the line.

This year’s team, which is currently 8-14-8, has kept games close with only four multi-goal losses.

“I have been very clear with the group that I believe in them,” Porter said. “Doesn't mean there isn't room to improve. There's a lot of room to improve. Our mentality to win games needs to improve, our ability in the boxes to score goals needs to improve.

“We need a couple of pieces still, but we're close. I really believe we're close to success. I'm going to keep moving this club forward. We're going to keep building for the future. We're going to develop continuity in the system, and in the offseason, we're going to keep adding players and keep getting better. We need to get better in the boxes. We need to add a few pieces to turn those margins.”

Porter, of course, has won MLS Cups with two separate teams, a rarity in the league, but he’s also missed the postseason in six of the ten years before 2025.

While Porter is “gutted” to miss the playoffs a seventh time, he believes the Revs are on the right path.

“I think we’re close. I really do,” Porter said when asked about his status for 2026 and what the team needs. “I think we can be a team next year that finishes really high in the Eastern Conference. I believe that. I believe [we’re] very close.

“I hope they keep continuity, because continuity is key. I’m disappointed, frankly gutted in a lot of ways, that we’re not going to make the playoffs again. I’ve said that it’s on me, obviously. I’m disappointed in that.

“Results do matter, but I believe that this project is getting there. I really believe that. And I think we’re a couple of pieces [away]. We’re time, that’s the big thing, we’re time and continuity away.

“Psychologically, it’s hard to have that killer instinct at 0-0, that belief, when you haven’t gotten over the hump with results. And if we had taken a few more of those results I believe that the belief is there [tonight]. So, we just need to take a few more results when it’s 0-0. I’m all in here. Hopefully, they see the same things that I see.”