Revolution Building Chemistry After Roster Refresh

Porter: “We’re gaining chemistry every day, we’re gaining fitness every day, we’re gaining quality every day.”

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

The New England Revolution are building chemistry after refreshing the roster during the off-season.

The Revs will look different in 2025 as they have welcomed 12 new players. Each training session and preseason game is an opportunity to come together as a team.

The Revs got a snapshot of their current state when they collected a 1-0 win over Austin FC on Tuesday.

“We’re gaining chemistry every day, we’re gaining fitness every day, we’re gaining quality every day,” head coach Caleb Porter said. “We’re also building confidence and we’re building a winning mentality, even though it’s just 70 minutes.”

Porter noted that the team has been working on “the attacking side and gaining control.” He said he saw that against Austin, especially in the first half, which was 35 minutes.

Porter also stated that the Revs had some good looks in the attacking third, specifically saying that Leo Campana had a shot saved and one go just wide of the frame.

Campana, who joined the Revs from Miami, said that the team is learning their style of play.

“[Porter’s] idea is to be intense, to recover the ball fast in transition,” Campana said. “We have really good players, quality players, fast players, and I know we’re going to do a really good job when the season starts. But, yeah, it’s to be intense, to have that winning mentality when we go into the pitch. That’s why he brought the players that he brought. I think we’re trying to follow his ideas and hopefully we can start the season with that mentality.”

The Revs are also becoming familiar with each other off the field.

Campana stated that it’s “important to build a team culture,” naming Andrew Farrell and Maxi Urruti as players who have assisted with this.

“We have Andrew Farrell that has been here a lot of years,” Campana said. “Maxi Urruti, he puts a lot of happiness and love between the guys. I think that’s important, to have those kinds of players to create the family, the culture, that we want to create.”

While Aljaz Ivacic has only been with the Revs since April 2024, he’s one of six players that are 30 or older. As such, he’s helping newcomers adjust to the team.

“I’m maybe one of the oldest guys now, so I need to be an example first, which I think I’ve been,” Ivacic said. “Also, I need to help other guys, younger guys, to adapt as soon as possible. I’m here for them, to help them, because at the end of the day it’s going to make us better as a team, and everyone is important.”