Revolution Looking For Consistency After Up-And-Down Start to 2024

Porter: “I think the message after the game in Atlanta was, we’re there, but to win, we need five to 10% more hunger.”

The New England Revolution are looking for consistency after experiencing highs and lows to start 2024.

The Revs are 3-0 in the Concacaf Champions Cup, outscoring their opponents 8-0, but they are 0-3 in league play, allowing eight goals and scoring two.

Their most recent outing was a 4-1 league loss to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“I think the message after the game in Atlanta was, we’re there, but to win, we need five to 10% more hunger,” Caleb Porter said. “A lot of it is, for me, the mentality, and I look at winning duels. Usually in most matches in this league, and any game you play—the Champions Cup is the same—the team that wins more duels, usually has the better mentality to win the game.

“So I think that will be a continued point of emphasis, making sure that we’re ready to fight and roll our sleeve up and battle. I think in the Champions Cup we’ve shown that urgency and I think we’ve shown that urgency in the league as well, especially in first halves.”

Porter and his coaching staff set the vision for the team, but they also provide opportunities for players to take ownership.

The head coach said that he has “some good leaders,” specifically naming captain Carles Gil, Matt Polster, Dave Romney, Henry Kessler, Jonah Mensah, and Andrew Farrell.

He noted that it’s important that these players, and others, “are an extension” of him.

“We have a good group of leaders on this team that can bring ideas, that can bring accountability, that can drive the standard,” Porter said.

While league play hasn’t gone the way the Revs have wanted so far, there have been positive moments. The goal is to make sure that these moments continue to happen and with more frequency.

“I don't think we've had a game where everybody has performed—across the board—as well as they can,” Porter said. “I think, as I've stated, we've been right there, in every game. Obviously, we’ve played six and we’ve won three. And then in the three games we lost, we were right there in all three of those games, and then for whatever reason, it fell apart and we didn't get the result. That's been talked about, that's been addressed.

“For me, I think it's about getting consistent performances. And to do that, you need individuals to perform at their best. And so, I think yes, that's a big point of emphasis. Can we get—across the board—11 guys performing to the level they need to? Which means collectively on both sides of the ball we’ll have the performance that we need to to get a result every game.”