Revolution Notebook: Jones' Injury, Chancalay's Form, And Polster's Message
Revolution Notebook: Jones' Injury, Chancalay's Form, And Polster's Message
We get an injury update on DeJuan Jones, Caleb Porter talks about Tomas Chancalay, and Matt Polster has a message for fans.
The New England Revolution are heading to Canada for a Saturday showdown with Toronto FC. Here are some notes ahead of the 7:30 kick.
Jones To Miss Four Weeks
DeJuan Jones played 26 minutes against New York City FC before exiting with an injury. Ryan Spaulding lined up at left back for the rest of the game.
Head coach Caleb Porter provided an update on Jones during Thursday’s media availability.
“DeJuan Jones has a hamstring strain,” Porter said. “It’s a grade 3. He did it when he slipped, so it was kind of a fluke. I’ve never seen that happen, actually. It wasn’t a hamstring that you get from a load, it was the first 20 minutes and he only played 45 minutes in the midweek. So, it was very fluke. When he slipped, he tore it. So, he’s out four weeks minimum.”
Porter Comments on Chancalay
Tomas Chancalay had an outstanding introduction to Major League Soccer as he had six goals in 11 appearances in 2023.
While he collected four goals during the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, he hasn’t scored in league play yet this year.
Chancalay has 33 shots (third most in MLS) with nine of those being on target (tied for 12th most). He has hit the woodwork three times.
“Tomás hasn’t scored in the league,” Porter said. “There are things he needs to improve on. He’s a very good finisher. He’s had chances to score, a lot of it is confidence. I look at the Chicago game, for instance, he’s in on a breakaway. If he scores that goal, his confidence probably grows, we win the game, changes everything. Those are the margins right now that people will forget. It seems broken. I know it’s a lot closer than it looks from the outside. A lot of it is confidence.
“With Tomás, he hasn’t scored in the league. He does have quality. He also needs to figure out how in our system, minus the final third, how he fits in. He’s a guy that wants to shoot a lot. He takes risks with the ball a lot. Can we simplify his game in the back third, middle third, and then get him in positions where he can score? So, figuring that out.
“He scored goals when he was up top in the Champions Cup. My system, 4-2-3-1, he is a 9-10. He played last year on the wing. He prefers to play on the wing, that’s what he feels his position is. So, it’s working around all those things. We need guys to produce, and I need to find the right chemistry as well.”
Polster’s Message To Fans
The Revs started the regular season 1-5-1 while balancing Concacaf Champions Cup play. It’s not what the players or staff hoped, but Matt Polster is optimistic that the team can turn things around.
On Thursday, Polster was asked for his message to fans.
“Stay with us,” Polster said. “I think it's a process, and for us players we're doing everything we can each game to give those fans the enjoyment they deserve. We haven't been there yet as a group, but again, the staff and the organization, they have given us everything we need. It really comes down to us players to produce on the weekend and that's the message. I can say keep coming to the games, keep giving us confidence, and we will come through, I truly believe that. We have the group of guys that can get it done.”
4 weeks without DeJuan, ugh.
Porter on Chancalay: “…My system, 4-2-3-1, he is a 9-10. He played last year on the wing. He prefers to play on the wing, that’s what he feels his position is. So, it’s working around all those things. We need guys to produce, and I need to find the right chemistry as well.”
‘My system?’ Maybe Porter is too rigid?