Usseglio: Reality Check
Revolution drop three points in The Bronx
The New England Revolution traveled down to Yankee Stadium on MLS Matchday 4 to take on New York City FC. Winless in their first 3 games, the Revs needed a result in The Bronx to start building momentum for their season.
Heading into the game, Head Coach Caleb Porter said people have been making too big of a deal about the poor results and lack of goals to start the year. Porter did not think his players should be under pressure and that it is unfair to link last year’s team to this year’s team. This year’s team is his team, made up of his players, and they are only 3 games into a long season. The criticism and pressure from fans and media is unwarranted.
The reality is that the Revs lost 2-1 at New York City. If you saw the score without having watched the game, you might think the Revolution finally got their first goal of the season. Technically they did, but the goal was an own goal scored by NYCFC defender Thiago Martins off a cross from Brandon Bye. So, in my opinion, the Revs have yet to score a goal through four games.
The game was not completely dominated by New York City and the Revs certainly had their good moments. They were able to create sustained attacking pressure for parts of the game, but they could not convert that pressure into dangerous chances in front of goal. For all the good they did, the Revs were only able to generate one shot on goal for an expected goals total of 0.3 according to mlssoccer.com.
No matter what reality you live in, I think it is an objective fact that the Revolution are struggling. They have scored zero goals through four games. They have zero wins in four games. They are sitting on one point out of a possible 12, currently in 14th place in the Eastern Conference.
We have heard, over and over again, that it takes time for the offensive part of the game to come together. Fair enough. Maybe it does.
What have you seen from the Revs this season, or last season for that matter, that gives you confidence they will be able to figure it out? Why has a team like San Diego FC, completely new to the league with players that have never played together, been able to score six goals in their first four games?
Something is not adding up.
The Revolution are not able to score goals. That is the objective reality.
If you can’t score, you can’t win. If you can’t score and you concede, you lose. That is the reality of soccer.
The Revs are sliding down to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. If they can’t find ways to score goals soon, the playoffs will quickly become out of reach.
I don't even mind it this year, unlike last year, because this time around it's Porter's butt that will take the fall and I want him gone.
Edit: Also, him saying "we score a goal" - insert Communist Bugs Bunny meme.
Can't argue with anything you said. The sooner the playoffs become out of reach, the better in my opinion. Bilello has promised accountability if the Revs fail to make the playoffs and that surely would mean Porter, at a minimum, would be gone. There is not going to be any turnaround while Porter is in charge.