I was worried.
After the first game of the season, a 4-1 loss at Nashville, the message from Marko Mitrović and the players was that the effort was not where it needed to be. The team needed to bring more fight, play with more intensity and determination.
Shouldn’t that be the bare minimum for any professional team? Is that not the expectation for every single game in the MLS season, never mind opening night?
Next up was a trip to New Jersey to face Red Bull New York at the site formerly known as Red Bull Arena. It was a tough test, as the Revs have historically struggled to get results in the home of their regional foe.
This matchup proved to repeat the pattern, with the Red Bulls dominating much of the game and getting a go-ahead goal in the 54th minute. The Revs fell asleep on a corner kick and New York punished them for it.
Eventually, the tides started turning in the Revs favor and they played well for the last 15 to 20 minutes of the game. The play was positive, providing the team something to build on going into their home opener the next week.
Unfortunately, forward Leo Campana was not available due to injury in the Red Bull game. This is a problem all too familiar for Revs fans. Campana has struggled with injuries since his arrival to New England, hampering his ability to get into a rhythm on the field.
With the home opener against the Houston Dynamo cancelled due to issues with the weather and getting the new grass field installed, I was confident that Campana would be back for the game against FC Cincinnati.
That confidence was misplaced. Campana was not available for the matchup this past Sunday. I sincerely hope his injury bug is near its end, and that Campana will make a difference for the Revs this season. We will have to wait and see how that plays out.
Thankfully, we no longer have to wait for the first win of the Revolution’s season. And what a win it was.
The New England Revolution dominated FC Cincinnati on a brisk afternoon in late March, playing their home opener in front of the Foxboro faithful on a beautiful grass field at Gillette Stadium.
They produced a performance for the ages, against a quality side coached by former Rev Pat Noonan. While Cincinnati was certainly not at full strength, having played Liga MX side Tigres in the Concacaf Champions Cup this past Wednesday, they are still one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. This was not an easy game against a lesser opponent in MLS. This was a matchup against one of the contenders for MLS Cup.
Mitrović had his team ready from the opening whistle. The Revs were on the front foot pretty much the entire game. Their one moment of weakness came after a foul committed by Brayan Ceballos near midfield. Out of position, Cincinnati quickly re-started the play and caught the Revolution sleeping. They converted their chance against the run of play to put them ahead 1-0.
How did the Revolution respond? They scored six unanswered goals. Yes, you read that right.
That is not a typo. That is not me deciding to write Revs fan fiction. That was not a dream we all collectively had. The Revs, a team that has played so poorly at home for what seems like forever, looked a completely different side.
I am starting to believe that Mitrović can help the Revs overcome the ghosts of their past, leading them into a new era. He may have already done so.
The Revolution have been stagnant, more frankly they have been bad, since the end of Bruce Arena’s time in New England. The past few years have been unbearable, game after dreadful game. I, and I am assuming all of you, have not felt genuine hope for a long time.
Sunday’s performance was restorative. It was inspiring. It made me remember why I love this beautiful game.
I felt happy. Hopeful. Joyous.
Listening to Brad Feldman and Clyde Simms on the 98.5 Sports Hub radio call, I could not help but get tears in my eyes. Feldman put into words all the emotions that him and Revs fans were feeling. After so much disappointment, after so much struggle and loss, the Revs were making their fans proud again.
They were scoring goals for fun. Not just lucky goals, but goals with a bit of venom. Ceballos’ headers. Three perfects assists from Luca “La Langosta” Langoni. The rocket from rising start Peyton Miller, playing as a winger. The return of Diego Fagundez, one of our own, the first homegrown player in our history. Everything came together to make this special day one we will never forget.
This does not feel like smoke and mirrors. This does not feel like empty words and promises.
This feels real.
We could see it with our own eyes. The excellence was on display for everyone to witness.
I do not want to make proclamations about what is to come. I am simply happy to be proud of my team again.
Happy to get a dominant win at home, in front of the Revolution faithful who have been so hungry for performances like this.
Let’s keep it going.
