Resilent Revs Hoping Comeback Against Colorado Can Be A "Momentum Turner"

“It takes a team that’s mentally tough, and it’s amazing. I think it could be a turning point for us for sure.”

Photo Courtesy of Brady King

The New England Revolution showed resilience on Saturday, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to collect a point against the Colorado Rapids.

The Revs dominated possession during the early stanza with Peyton Miller and Alhassan Yusuf putting strong shots on goal.

But the Rapids found themselves up 2-0 at halftime after Calvin Harris and Rafael Navarro scored in the 29th and 40th minutes.

The visitors got a third through Ted Ku-Dipietro in the 55th minute.

“It was a game where, based on their tactics, they were looking to sit in and then counter us,” Porter said. “I thought we came out in a really good way, a positive way with the ball.

“But then we gave away the first two real chances they had in transition, so that part wasn’t good enough, and then obviously the third goal we have to do better.”

Carles Gil helped spark a comeback by forcing an own goal, scoring the penalty he drew, and collecting a secondary assist.

It was the first time in club history that the Revs earned a point by erasing a deficit of three or more goals.

“It’s an unbelievable thing to be able to do, and it takes a resilient team,” Porter said. “It takes a team that’s mentally tough, and it’s amazing. I think it could be a turning point for us for sure.”

Porter noted that this moment can be an opportunity to improve.

After the game, he pondered his decision to make five changes to the starting lineup, including three defenders. Porter stated that the quick turnaround following a break was a factor.

“We’ll continue to get better and look at the film, and I’ll look at my decisions to start the game with guys for sure. Might have got that wrong,” Porter said. “I’m always reflecting on that. But we’ll use this hopefully as a momentum turner.”

Porter also spoke about the Revs’ ability to stifle counterattacks by being more assertive.

“You saw in the latter stage of the game, when we were more aggressive pinning them back, then they had no transitions,” Porter said. “And I think that's the lesson today is we need to be more aggressive in dictating the game and pinning the opponent back, which allows us now to force them deeper and makes it easier when we lose the ball.”

While the Revs will be happy to salvage a draw after conceding three goals, they only accumulated one point in their last three home games.

The team is 4-2-4 on the road this year and 2-4-2 at Gillette Stadium.

“I don’t think it’s the way,” Carles Gil said. “In my experience, the teams in the top positions are strong at home. It’s difficult to be good away and at home, bad. So we need to think about this. What happened here? Maybe we are more relaxed because we concede many chances, many goals at home.

“But saw in the last 20 minutes that we have our fans. If we give them a little bit, they’re pushing, and we can do what we did in the last 20 minutes. We need to think about this.”