Revolution Taking It One Game At A Time While Maintaining Playoff Hopes
"I think if you ask anybody in the locker room, they all believe that we still have a chance to make the playoffs."
It’s one game at a time for the New England Revolution.
The Revs are currently ten points below the playoff line, having not won a game since May 31st. It’s a situation that has left many fans frustrated.
“Yeah, I see where [the fans are] coming from,” midfielder Matt Polster said. “I’m frustrated myself. It’s not the season I envisioned. It’s not the season that I’m sure the entire front office, the coaching staff, the ownership envisioned. But at the end of the day, I don’t want to dwell on what’s happened.”
Major League Soccer is a turbulent league where outlooks can change quickly.
The Revs started the year with one win through six tries (1-4-1) before going unbeaten in nine (5-0-4). Their current run sees them winless in nine (0-7-2).
But it’s possible to get hot and make a run, which the Revs did in 2014. The club had 27 points before winning nine of their final eleven games. They then made the MLS Cup Final, losing 2-1 to the L.A. Galaxy.
An Oral History Of The New England Revolution’s 2014 MLS Cup Run
Note: This article was originally posted on November 29, 2021.
The Revolution currently have 25 points with ten games left. If they are to make a push, they will have to improve their home form (2-7-2) as six of their remaining games are at Gillette Stadium.
Lee Nguyen was a significant part of the 2014 story, as he had 18 goals and five assists during his #MVLee season. Jermaine Jones, who signed with the Revs on August 24th, was another major catalyst.
The Revs just added Matt Turner and could make more moves during the summer window. They made a bid for Dor Turgeman, a 21-year-old striker who had 15 goals in the Israeli league last year.
The New York Red Bulls provide another example of the fickle nature of MLS, as they made the 2024 MLS Cup Final despite finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference.
“I think if you ask anybody in the locker room, they all believe that we still have a chance to make the playoffs,” head coach Caleb Porter said. “They understand that we have a lot of work to do, and they understand that we have to win the next game.”
Next on the docket is D.C. United, who are 0-7-1 since May 31st. A win on Saturday would be a step in the right direction for the Revs.
“There’s still an opportunity,” Matt Polster said. “Ten games to go. All we can focus on is D.C. That’s all we can control at the moment. We need to find a way to get three points and go from there.”
While the Revs still hope to play postseason soccer, they know they can’t get too far ahead of themselves. As such, they are focusing on each game as it comes.
“We’re all frustrated, but we still have to stick together, back each other, and find a way to win,” Polster said.
Sure, there's a chance. If all the other teams eat gas station sushi before each match, there's a chance. If suddenly, Porter decides to take up professional bowling and leave soccer, there's a chance. If Matt Turner can play both keeper and striker, there's a chance.
As I tell my [military] students, hope is not a strategy.