Revs Seeking Philadelphia Freedom

The Union have pumped in eight goals already this season but they've also conceded three...

Photo By J. Alexander Dolan

Much of the talk this week has been how the New England Revolution’s attacking play has constantly gone out like a candle in the wind at the slightest opposition resistance. The Revs next opponent have had no such problems to start their season, they’ve scored four goals in both of their games so far. It’s created a cause for concern as the Revs are aiming to get their first win of the season at home against a team off to an unexpectedly strong start to the season.

No one knew what to expect from the Union this season with a new coach, Bradley Carnell, coming in after Jim Curtin had been their head coach since 2014. Certainly, no one would have pegged them to start off with two wins and eight goals in their first two games.

The Revs defense will be in for its toughest test in the young season. They have shown that Saturday night’s alright for fighting so far this season as they’ve only conceded once in two games.

That defensive solidarity hasn’t come without sacrifice, however, as their attacking play has been woefully inept. But it’s here that the Union offer an opportunity. Through two games they’ve conceded three goals and have an expected goals allowed of 3.4, the 5th highest in the Eastern Conference.

The Revs have also struggled just to get shots away, let alone find the back of the net. Here again, Philly offers hope, in its away game to Orlando they faced 22 shots, 16 from inside its own penalty area. Orlando hit the woodwork three times in addition to its two goals. That game could have just as easily been more high scoring than any pinball wizard could imagine and ended 5-4.

Philly has found success in scoring goals from forcing turnovers in the middle third and close to the opponents goal and attacking rapidly. However, the Union aren’t always pressing in an unrelenting fashion and have stood off in a medium block when their opponents have established controlled possession of the ball.

At times they’ve put no pressure on the back line and sat off in an almost 4-2-4-0 defensive shape. Those moments would be beneficial to the Revs in getting the ball into the Union’s half. Their cautious positioning and holding Brandon Bye in the back line during buildup could help guard against Union counter attacks.

Now, I know you’re probably saying don’t go breaking my heart with too much optimism for a Revolution win this Saturday. But they have to find a way to get it done at home this week because they then face two out of three on the road to finish the month of March.

And one of those trips is the annual game in the outfield of a baseball stadium on a 9v9 field against NYCFC, where anything can happen. Luckily, we’ll soon reach a point where this train don’t stop there anymore and NYCFC gets its own stadium.

You’d have to be a madman on the water to call Saturday’s game a must win game but it’s not far off. Starting the season with one point from nine and two home losses from two might have Revs fans feeling like I’ve seen that movie too and flashing back to 2024’s lost season. The longer the first win takes to arrive, the more the fans will want to burn down the mission and the playoffs will slip further away.

And what about Caleb Porter? If the Revs don’t get going soon how many of you will say I don’t want to go on with you like that? He’s been quick to say ‘I’m still standing’ after a rough start to the season but if they come back from NYC win less, will we want him out of here faster than a rocket man?

It’s about as important as a March game gets for an MLS team, we can’t keep sleeping with the past, we all need to put 2024 behind us and get this season going with a win on Saturday night. Foxboro needs to be a town called jubilee again and be the home of a winning team.

If not, well, that’s why they call it the blues.