Revolution Notebook: Carles Gil, Center Mids, And Celtics

Here are some notes from Tuesday's practice.

Jun 20, 2024

The New England Revolution are looking for their fourth win in a row when they visit FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Here are some notes ahead of the 7:30 kick.

Praise For Carles Gil

There are plenty of reasons behind the Revs’ recent run of good form, including the contributions of Carles Gil.

Against Nashville, he had a goal, one chance created, and 73 touches. Against the Red Bulls, he had one assist, seven chances created, and 82 touches. Against Vancouver, he had a secondary assist, five chances created, and 102 touches.

On Tuesday, Gil was asked about how he’s feeling after a statistically slow start to the season.

“I’m improving,” Gil said. “In the beginning of the season, it was a little bit difficult with many games, with Concacaf Champions [Cup]. Sometimes, for me, it’s a little difficult to be 100 percent. But just work hard, here and in the afternoon with my trainer. It’s very important for me to be fit.”

The captain noted he’s always “working hard to be the best Carles.”

Head coach Caleb Porter appreciates these efforts and believes they’ve translated to on-field success.

“For me, [Gil is] one of the best players in the league,” Porter said. “I’ve said it from day one, but I also think he is in as good of form as he’s ever been. Obviously, he’s been in really good form in his career in certain years, but I think his influence on both sides of the ball, not just with goals and assists, but just with rhythm.

He’s not getting credit for some assists that are, really, he was instrumental in setting up the goal, he just didn’t get the actual assist in some cases. I told him after the game right in front of the whole team that I think he’s playing as well as [we’ve] ever seen him play in his career.

“It’s great to see and I think it’s a byproduct of him working really hard, having a great attitude, and also really fitting into our game model as a true number ten, who is a true fulcrum for our attack.”

Midfield Review

With Matt Polster out due to yellow card accumulation and Mark-Anthony Kaye a late scratch due to injury, the Revs went with a midfield pairing of Ian Harkes and Noel Buck against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Porter was asked if the performances of Harkes and Buck gave him something to think about ahead of this weekend’s clash against Cincinnati.

“You’ve got to be smart with, obviously, the body of work over the long haul,” Porter said. “I don’t see Matt Polster losing his job, because he’s such a key player for us on both sides of the ball and as a leader.

“We’ll see with Mark[-Anthony Kaye] where he’s at physically, but I thought Ian had a great game in terms of his possession and even his defending.

“Noel had a great goal. He gave the ball away a few times more than I would have liked, but he is becoming more and more comfortable as well. He is understanding positional play. He is understanding tactics and I think he is also finding that balance within that of when to be free to push on, to do what he did with the goal he scored.

“So, real happy with all the development from everyone, really, but this game is going to be our toughest game of the year.”

Celtics Win 18th NBA Championship

The Celtics brought another title to New England when they defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.

Although he hasn’t been in the region long, Xavier Arreaga is delighted about the news.

“I think this is the reason I’m happiest to move to Boston, because here I can get the opportunity to go to the NBA games,” Arreaga said. “I’m a big fan of [basketball]. Congratulations to the Celtics, the guys did a great job this season.”

Gil, who has attended several Celtics games, also congratulated the champs.

“It’s incredible,” Gil said. “Congratulations to them. They had an incredible season from the beginning. Boston is an incredible city for all the sports [with] big fans. We’re very happy.”