Revolution Looking To Win Fifth Straight While Dealing With Absences
Porter: “Both Dylan and Carles are questionable for the game. We’ll know a little bit more [Friday] on Carles, but both of them are looking unlikely for the match."
Between schedule congestion, injuries, and illnesses, the 2024 New England Revolution have faced their fair share of adversity.
That trend will continue this weekend because the statuses of Dylan Borrero and Carles Gil are uncertain.
“Both Dylan and Carles are questionable for the game,” Porter said on Thursday. “We’ll know a little bit more [Friday] on Carles, but both of them are looking unlikely for the match.
“Obviously, we have three [games] next week as well, so hopefully they’ll be available. If they’re not available for this game, hopefully they’ll be available for Atlanta [on Wednesday].
“It’s another game where we have guys out and we’re not going to make it an excuse. We’ll put guys in that we feel will help us win the game and we’ll come up with a plan, but it won’t be easy for sure.”
The Revolution are on a four-game winning streak, their first since 2021.
While their opponents during this run have had absences, the Revs have also been missing players.
“I think it’s gotten lost in the shuffle in this stretch that we’ve had guys injured,” Porter said. “Everybody has talked about the other teams and all the guys they have out, we’ve had guys out every single game.
“We’ve had Tomas [Chancalay] out, who is a DP. We had Esmir [Bajraktarević] out a game. We’ve had Mark-Anthony Kaye out. We’ve had Dylan Borrero out for multiple games, and then now, Carles is questionable for this game as well.
“So, I’m really proud during this stretch that we have not made the injuries an excuse. We have not been a victim of those things, and we’ve used it to our advantage to bring in new guys, to change our tactics, to change our game plans, and to not just make it a kind of round-peg-square-hole.
“We’ve made little tweaks every single game tactically, and part of that is our personnel and who we have available and part of it is the opponent and what we think we need to do in the game.”
Porter had high praise for this weekend’s opponent, the Columbus Crew, saying he “would put this team up there with the best teams in the league.” He added that they have “one of the most talented rosters in the league” and that Wilfried Nancy is “definitely one of the best coaches in the league.”
Saturday’s game is a daunting one for the Revolution, especially considering absences, but Porter isn’t backing down.
“It won’t be easy, and I do think this team, Columbus, when I scout them and I analyze them and look at all the things that we need to do, it’s going to be our biggest test of the year,” Porter said.
“But we are at home, we’ve won the last two at home, we’ve obviously won four in a row, we’re full of confidence, and we’re going to definitely go into the game pushing to win and get another three points.”
The Revs started the year 2-10-1, but recent results and performances have been positive.
Porter noted that he’s seen the team evolve in terms of how they play and their mentality.
Midfielder Ian Harkes gave his perspective on the shift when asked during Thursday’s media availability.
“I think the difference is just believing in the system that [Caleb Porter] is putting out,” Harkes said. “It maybe takes a little time to really gel.
“There was definitely a tough schedule at the start of the year. I don’t think that’s something that we were really falling back on as an excuse.
“I think it’s just the continued belief and hard work that we’ve put in every single week to then find a real pattern of play, a real identity around the team. You can see that building week in and week out.
“Like I said, off of that blueprint, guys have started to excel, step up, and bring their individual performances as well. I think if we continue to push, there’s no saying what this team can’t do. The sky is the limit.”