Revolution II vs Chicago Fire II: Three Thoughts
Three thoughts following New England's playoff exit.
Sunday saw New England Revolution II’s 2025 season come to an end after the club suffered a heart-shattering 1-0 loss to Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. Here are three thoughts.
1 - Leery Start
From an eye test, it felt like New England started this match with a different style of play from what we were used to seeing from them.
Revs II began the game with a hesitant and cautious approach, featuring more short-range passes, cycling the ball side to side, and some passing out of the back to restart things. Something starkly distant from their typical approach, which sees them use a mix of speed, footwork, and long balls to work down the flanks. Something that helped them create the number of chances they did in the regular season.
They eventually found their way back to their regular playstyle, but the hesitation to start the game limited the number of good chances they generated in the beginning of the match.
2 - Composure Challenges
One of New England’s biggest challenges on Sunday was its ability to maintain composure. Revs II ended the night with 15 fouls committed, which ties for the sixth most they conceded all season. On top of the 15 fouls, they were on the receiving end of three yellow cards.
When you’re committing the sheer number of fouls Revs II were last night, it throws a wrench into how much momentum you’re able to generate.
With two of New England’s three yellows coming before the first half ended, the second half saw a more tamer second half as Revolution II looked to keep all 11 players on the field.
Composure is something a soccer team needs to be aware of, especially in a playoff environment. Unfortunately, it was something New England was unable to control, and it cost them. Hopefully, it will serve as a lesson for 2026.
3 - Unfortunate Ending
After putting up a solid effort throughout the match, momentum viciously swung in Chicago’s favor in the 87th minute thanks to an incredible amount of misfortune.
It all starts with Sam Williams’ attempt to drill the ball into the box, deflecting off Javaun Mussenden and soaring into the air. Gevork Diarbain attempted to get under the falling ball, but an awkward touch led the ball right back to Williams, who taps the ball forward to Jason Shokalook.
With New England pressure engulfing him, Shokalook slotted the ball to the right flank and into the path of an advancing Dylan Borso. With time and space, Borso took a few touches before lobbing the ball into the box that skipped over the heads of Gabe Dahlin and Hesron Barry, and found the head of David Poreba. Poreba easily gets to it and heads a bouncing ball toward goal that slipped through the five-hole of Donovan Parisian to give Chicago the lead and eventual victory.
It gave a feeling of déjà vu to how the club’s first playoff run came to an end. After breezing past Philadelphia Union II and New York Red Bulls II in the opening two rounds, New England was just one win away from securing a spot in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final.
After a hard-fought effort, it looked as if Revs II and Crew 2 were heading to penalties. That was until Columbus capitalized on some lapsed defense and found the winning goal in the closing seconds of the match to send New England packing.
Seeing both of New England’s playoff runs come to an end due to extremely late goals has been disappointing to see. Hopefully, that doesn’t occur the next time Revolution II makes the playoffs.