Porter Remains Confident That The Revolution Can Make The Playoffs

“I still believe in the group. I still have confidence in the group."

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

Head coach Caleb Porter remains confident in the New England Revolution’s ability to make the postseason despite recent results.

The Revs lost 2-1 to Orlando City SC on Saturday, extending their winless streak to eight (0-6-2).

The most recent result came at home during a busy stretch of five games in 16 days. While a single goal has decided all but one of these matches, Porter acknowledged that the Revs need to do better at collecting points.

“The results haven’t been good enough, no doubt,” Porter said.

Porter said his team is “playing well,” but “losing moments that cost us the game.” He used Orlando’s first goal as an example.

Eduard Atuesta played a long ball to Martin Ojeda to open the scoring, putting the home side in a difficult spot.

“That first goal killed us, and it has nothing to do with anything other than, in that moment – we talk about it all the time – if there’s no pressure on the ball, you’ve got to drop the line,” Porter said. “You can’t allow one ball in behind us, and then we’ve got to be connected.”

The Revs are 11th in the Eastern Conference, eight points below the playoff line. They play seven of their remaining 11 games at Gillette Stadium, which gives them a path to make the postseason, though they’re 2-6-2 at home this season.

“I'm confident in my ability and the team's ability to make the playoffs,” Porter said when asked directly.

The club does have the opportunity to add reinforcements during the Summer Transfer Window, which is open between July 24 and August 21.

The Revs, who have two Designated Players (DPs) and two U-22 Players, are currently using the roster construction model that allows for two DPs, four U-22s, and $2 million in General Allocation Money. They could decide to switch to the three DP/three U-22 model.

“We don’t have a ton of cap,” Porter said. “We do have some mechanisms to make some moves. Obviously, with those you need transfer money.”

Porter didn’t name any specific targets, though he said on June 14 that the team needs a striker who can score 10-plus goals. He added, “We need to find that guy, whether it’s here or somewhere else.”

They currently have a striker with four goals (Leo Campana) and one with three (Tomas Chancalay).

Porter also noted that while the team has good defenders, they “potentially need a voice” in the backline to help organize. He didn’t indicate if that is a transfer need.

“You need someone to boss the line,” Porter said. “Matt [Polster] can’t do it from in front, and Aljaz [Ivacic] can’t do it from behind. You need someone in the line to be running the line up – step, drop, hold, slide. It's just natural things and we just don’t have someone that’s doing that.

“They’re working together, but there’s not someone leading that line, if that makes sense. I think you’ve it seen recently when we’ve given up some goals. We've got to get a leader there.”

Regardless of what the Revs do during the window, Porter maintains faith in the players he has.

“I still believe in the group,” Porter said. “I still have confidence in the group. I think they’re fighting for me, I think they’re giving me everything they have, and it’s clear. I just wish we were getting rewarded more.”

Ilay Feingold echoed Porter’s words, saying, “I believe in this group. I really believe in this group.”

Alhassan Yusuf said, “Everyone is believing, the coaches and also we the players. We believe that every game is really close and that we just need one game and then we think we can turn it around.”

The Revs have six days before they host CF Montreal on Friday, June 25. This provides an opportunity for rest and reflection.

“I have to look at myself,” Porter said. “I have to figure out how I can position them in a better way. How can I get them more focused?

“The buck always stops with me. I don’t have to say it every press conference, but it always stops with me. I’ve been doing this a long time, I know that, I take responsibility for the results.”