Revs See Increased Competition For Time As Players Return From Injury

Porter: “Guys still need to earn their jobs and that's what is raising our level right now, because every single guy has to perform at training and the games.”

Photo Courtesy of the New England Revolution

Increased competition will benefit the New England Revolution, according to head coach Caleb Porter.

Friday’s Player Status Report was one of the shortest in recent memory as it only included three names. The competition for playing time is getting intense as players work their way back from injury.

For example, Ian Harkes, who collected 12 straight starts, was a substitute last night, grabbing two assists in 13 minutes. Jack Panayotou, who had a goal and assist during Leagues Cup, had a helper for Revs II on Saturday.

“Guys still need to earn their jobs and that's what is raising our level right now, because every single guy has to perform at training and the games,” Porter said. “They know that, and when you start to create that best-versus-best or iron-sharpens-iron, then the level goes up in your team. You saw that today.”

Will Sands is one player who stepped up in the 5-0 win over CF Montreal. The left back, acquired on July 31, made his first start for the Revolution this weekend.

During his 90-minute performance, Sands had 62 touches, created one chance, and was one of the most fouled players on the field (2). He also went 31/36 on accurate passes, 2/4 on accurate crosses, 1/3 on tackles, and 5/5 on ground duels.

“I thought [Sands] was honestly one of the best players today, very steady both sides of the ball,” Porter said.

Peyton Miller previously manned the left back spot, starting the last four games, but the 16-year-old was unavailable after rolling his ankle midweek.

“We put Will right in,” Porter said. “We knew we would be very covered with those two guys. I said it, Peyton and Will, I have a lot of confidence in them, and I think everybody saw today why we traded for Will. He is a very good player, very well-rounded, very complete, a good defender, good at keeping the ball, and good going forward.”

Porter expects Miller to be back soon, but that doesn’t mean he will immediately return to the starting lineup, especially after Sands’ performance.

“So, Peyton, we will see where he is at,” Porter said. “We are hopeful he will be available next week. But as I told my team last week, the audition for parts is going to be every week and guys have got to earn jobs, so it is going to be tough to keep Will out with the performance he had today. Peyton Miller, he is a very talented player, a young player, and his upside is as good as you're going to see.”

Unfortunately, injuries and absences happen, as Revs fans know all too well. As such, it will be critical that everyone stays sharp.

Brandon Bye, who assisted the opening goal, was forced to depart in the 12th minute.

Porter assessed the injury by saying, “We think it is an ankle sprain. I don't think it's too serious, but we'll evaluate it. He's probably out for a week or two, I would guess just looking at it, but I don't think it's too serious where he's going to be out too long.”

Fortunately for the Revs, Nick Lima came in and offered a solid performance, which included scoring a goal.

While Carles Gil returned to the starting lineup for the first time since June 22, Dylan Borrero, Giacomo Vrioni, and Luca Langoni were only available off the bench.

All four players found their way onto the scoresheet as Gil had two assists, Borrero one assist, Vrioni one goal, and Langoni a goal and assist.

With players continuing to get healthy and Alhassan Yusuf set to arrive soon, the competition will only increase, which is a good thing as the Revs push to earn a playoff spot.