Revolution Suffer "Cruel" Loss To Charlotte FC

"All I can say is it’s very cruel. Sometimes this game is cruel."

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

An 87th-minute goal led to the New England Revolution’s ninth home loss of the season (3-9-2), a game that head coach Caleb Porter called “cruel.”

Charlotte FC struck in the 12th minute when Brandt Bronico headed the ball past Matt Turner. Mamadou Fofana attempted a late clearance, but it was deemed that the ball had already crossed the line.

The home side equalized 12 minutes later when Ignatius Gango took advantage of a goalkeeping error to collect his second goal in as many games. Leo Campana and Carles Gil earned assists.

The Revs had more chances—hitting the woodwork in the 23rd and 67th minutes—but only found the back of the net once.

Gil forced a save from goalkeeper Kristjian Kahlina just one minute before Idan Toklomati nodded in Ashley Westwood’s free kick to earn a 2-1 win.

“You can say it was one of the best games of the year, but at the end of the day we lost the game in the boxes,” Turner said. “That's where the money's made, that's where the plays need to be made.

“Their goalkeeper made some saves, and I didn't tonight. So, it's a frustrating night overall, because we definitely put a lot of effort into the game, and I think we did create and do a lot of really, really good things that we haven't seen in a lot of the games since I've been here.”

The Revs outperformed Charlotte in shots (19-9), shots on target (6 to 4), and expected goals (3.3 to 2.1). However, the visitors ultimately secured all three points.

“There isn’t a lot I would change,” Porter said. “Obviously, the result I would change. But that was an excellent performance against the hottest team in the league.

“That second half, it was all us. It's 1-1, and we're just knocking on the door. All I can say is it’s very cruel. Sometimes this game is cruel. I think that this is the story of this game.”

The Revolution’s lone sub came in the 84th minute when Tomas Chancalay replaced Luca Langoni. Langoni created three chances before coming off.

Porter said that he didn’t really consider making personnel changes earlier since he liked the way his team was playing against a Charlotte side that had won seven straight.

“We were playing extremely well,” Porter said. “There was nothing I needed to bring in off the bench earlier. We were getting chances, we were playing well.

“For me, that second half was one of our best halves of the year. We played hard and we played well. We got chances. [We had] 19 shots to nine. More than enough expected goals, over nearly three expected goals. It's one of our best performances of the year. It was very cruel today. Very cruel, that result.”

The result puts the Revs nine points below the playoff line with six games to go. Next up is a critical trip to face the Chicago Fire, who sit just above them in the standings.

The task will be difficult as the Revs will be without some key cogs. Leo Campana, Mamadou Fofana, and Dor Turgeman will be away for international duty, and Alhassan Yusuf may join them.

Matt Polster’s status is uncertain “because he tweaked his knee.”

“It isn’t great timing, most important game of the year,” Porter said. “It's definitely kind of a must-win. Of course, [Chicago FC] are the only team, and Red Bull, that we can catch, so we can control [Chicago FC] with two games. We have to go win that game and we'll find a way.”