Revolution Notebook: Kessler's Return, Harkes' Start, and Chancalay's Celebration

Here are some storylines from Thursday's 3-0 win.

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

The New England Revolution collected a 3-0 win over Club Atlético Independiente on Thursday night.

The 4-0 aggregate scoreline means that the Revs have advanced to the Round of 16 in the Concacaf Champions Cup. They will now face LD Alajuelense on Mar. 6 (home) and Mar. 14 (away).

Here are some notes from the Revs’ most recent performance.

Henry Kessler Returns

Kessler made his 2024 debut on Thursday after recovering from a left groin injury. The centerback played 45 minutes alongside Dave Romney, and was 29/33 on accurate passes, 2/2 on tackles, and 2/3 on ground duels.

Kessler’s halftime departure was pre-planned, according to head coach Caleb Porter.

“We had a programmed sub for him at 45,” Porter said. “He looked like he probably could go more, but we’ve just got to be careful as we build him back in and we don’t want any reinjuries.

“Our medical staff has done a great job with all of our players and the little injuries that they’ve had. We haven’t had any problems in terms of the return to play and the reinjuries, which last year, there were quite a few problems where guys were out and then they’re back and then they’re injured again, so the medical staff is doing a great job. Federico Pizzuto and Josh Williams, those two guys in particular, are leading a really good department.”

Ian Harkes Gets A Start

Ian Harkes got his first start of 2024, playing 69 minutes in the win. The center midfielder had 62 touches, was 45/50 on accurate passes, and won two of four tackles.

“We knew it’d be a game where we had a lot of the ball,” Porter said. “Ian is a technical player. He’s a smart player, positionally, and I thought he gave us what we needed in this game, to get control of the game.”

Earlier in the week, Porter noted that there’s competition regarding who will play alongside Matt Polster.

Harkes spoke about his relationship with Polster after the game.

“When I first came in last season, I was playing with Matt in the first couple of games and I think we combined well,” Harkes said. “We read off each other well and both like that six or right pivot so one of us can go forward. I enjoy playing with him all the time.”

Tomas Chancalay Explains His Celebration

Chancalay now has two CCC goals in as many games. His most recent tally came when he tapped in a pass from Esmir Bajraktarevic.

Chancalay celebrated by taking a bow in front of a camera, a sight fans have seen before.

“It comes from a concert I saw with my wife and some friends,” Chancalay said of the celebration. “It's a singer that I really like to listen to a lot. He does it after he finishes performing and I promised that I would do that after I scored a goal.”