Revs Are On A Roll, Really!
- Revs on Both Coasts
- 7 minutes ago
- 5 min read
ROBC Vol. 3 No. 3, May 16, 2025
Source:revolutionsoccer.net
Matt: We’re in full on pre-summer here at Massachusetts, and I’ve been afraid to say something, but the Revs might be in a full-on renaissance here. The team is scoring goals, both from open play and set pieces, winning, and fighting back to salvage a point on the road. After starting the season with one draw and three losses, in the next seven games the team went 5-1-1. Five wins against the Red Bulls, Atlanta, NYCFC, Charlotte, and Toronto. Just as important, they came back from a 2-0 deficit against Orlando on the road to tie it and secure a road point. What do you think?
Josh: I think that it’s been very exciting and important for the Revs to recover like this approaching the halfway-point of the season. I know you’re especially glad to tally the win against RBNYC, and I agree. I’ll add that standing tall to Charlotte and Orlando are key moments for the 2025 campaign.
Matt: So, this has been such a change from the first four games I had to look at the data, get the info, try and find out WHAT CHANGED? Here’s what I’ve got:
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Formation | Score(Revs vs Opp) | xG | Opp. xG |
Feb 22 | Nashville | Away | 4 -- 2 -- 3 -- 1 | 0-0 | 0.7 | 1.1 |
Mar 1 | Columbus | Home | 4 -- 2 -- 3 -- 1 | 0-1 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
Mar 8 | Phila | Home | 4 -- 2 -- 3 -- 1 | 0-2 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
Mar 15 | NYCFC | Away | 4 -- 3 -- 3 | 1-2 | 0.3 | 1.5 |
Mar 29 | RBNY | Home | 4 -- 4 -- 2 | 2-1 | 1.3 | 0.5 |
Apr 5 | FC Cincy | Away | 4 -- 2 -- 3 -- 1 | 0-1 | 1.2 | 2.5 |
Apr 12 | Atlanta | Away | 3 -- 5 -- 2 | 1-0 | 1.8 | 2.8 |
Apr 19 | NYCFC | Home | 3 -- 5 -- 2 | 2-0 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
Apr 26 | Charlotte | Away | 3 -- 5 -- 2 | 1-0 | 0.5 | 2.1 |
May 3 | Toronto | Away | 3 -- 5 -- 2 | 2-0 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
May 10 | Orlando | Away | 3 -- 5 -- 2 | 3-3 | 2.9 | 3 |
While there aren’t a lot of data points here, one thing jumps out right away at me: changing to a 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 formation was the right decision. On the other side of the definitive sense of things, with the Revs winning 3 on the road and 2 at home, they don’t appear to have a home advantage. Massachusetts weather in early March weather can be a factor - no one has an advantage when you’re playing in 34 degrees.
Josh: I know I don’t like it, and yes ThEy ArE PrOfEsSiOnAl AtHlEtEs, but that’s a reasonable explanation. Also, with 6 current Revs joining the other coast team, they had a lot of chemistry to figure out. And now that they are clicking, in a beautiful new England Spring, it’s fun to see.
Matt: And for a deeper dive, if you look at the Revs and opponents xG’s, the Revs ability to meet or exceed turns around against the Red Bulls and hits its stride against NYCFC. Thanks, New York! In addition, the defense started to hold opponents below their xG starting against, of all teams, Cincinnati.
Josh: I'll trust you on that one. I’ve not yet learned how xG is calculated, or how it works, but I like the trend you're pointing out.
Matt: Some more numbers – as you can see below, the Revs are scoring more and more in the first half of games as the season progresses. A singular data point that stands out to me: Polster’s return correlates with winning. Add Miller and Chancalay, and they have yet to lose.
Goal Scorers | Who scored 1st | Which half G scored | Revs GK Saves | Player return | player injury | G Open/Set Piece |
- | - | 0, 0 | 3 | 0, 0 | ||
- | Columbus | 0, 0 | 2 | 0, 0 | ||
- | Phila | 0, 0 | 7 | Campana | 0, 0 | |
OG (Martins NYCFC) | NYCFC | 0, 0 | 2 | Polster | 0, 0 | |
Gil x2 | Revs | 1, 1 | 4 | Miller | 0/1 | |
none | Cincy | 0, 0 | 5 | 0/0 | ||
Gil x2 | Revs | 1, 0 | 5 | Chancalay, Campana | 0/1 | |
Ganago, Campana | Revs | 1, 1 | 2 | 2/0 | ||
Gil | Revs | 0, 1 | 4 | 1/0 | ||
Gil, Campana | Revs | 2, 0 | 2 | 2/0 | ||
Gil, Polster, Yusuf | Orlando | 2, 1 | 5 | 2/1 |
Josh: I think I’m on record as a Polster loyalist, and if I’m wrong, here I go. He does such a good job of controlling the energy going into the defensive half. Or approaching with confidence and a plan to get the ball back up to his front line. You know me - I’ll choose the guy that’s out there hustling the most.
Matt: There are parts of the game where I have no choice but to trust in the coach’s concept behind the lineups, even if I’m disappointed. For all I know, someone here and there picks up a knock that isn’t disclosed, and the coach is making adjustments. Exhibit A: I always want to see Brandon Bye in the starting XI, but I’m sometimes disappointed.
Josh: There’s so much that goes into those decisions, and it’s easy to play armchair Manager, but it feels like putting your strengths on the field early is rarely the wrong decision. It seems like Coach Porter’s lineup is currently settling in without Brandon Bye. If they’re not careful, he’ll start talking to Matt Turner about what playing in other leagues looks like.
Matt: So…looking forward to Saturday? At long last, we have a Revs vs. Quakes matchup! It was about time in the cycle for them to play each other, and the last time they played each other it was in Foxborough. So logically the game would be in San Jose, but I bet the schedulers of MLS couldn’t resist the storyline of Bruce Arena having to return to Gillette stadium in Quakes Black and Blue.
Josh: I’m excited to watch soccer with my two favorite Revs fans, and even better cheering for my San Jose side. I’m eager to see how The Gillette responds to Coach Arena being on the Visitors bench. I'm guessing a cheering “Welcome back” moment, and then the Boston Hospitality takes over. But that’s some of the fun of supporting your team!
Matt: I think the Revs have an even chance to tie this game for a couple of reasons. One, the Revs will have a 6-day break, but San Jose will be operating on only two days of rest after facing Miami. Rest is definitely a factor. Also, unfortunately Arango left Wednesday night’s game with a hamstring injury and will be out for 2-3 weeks.injury. With Arango out and Martinez still on his way back to full fitness, the Revs have an advantage.
Josh: We’ll be watching the lineups and the bench closely. Will Coach Bruce be spiteful and start as many former Revs as possible to make a point? I’m banking on Jones, Harkes, and Romney shaking hands at the centerline. Maybe Buck is filling in up front? Should be a fun Saturday for mixed conference soccer! And since it's against my Quakes, why don't you take the battle cry this time?
Matt: Go Revs! Defend the Fort! Spill the Tea! Bring the Fight!
Revs On Both Coasts Slyde-ing Scale for Matches 5-11
Category | Matt | Josh | Average |
Offense | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Midfield | 8 | 7 | 7.5 |
Defense | 8.5 | 8 | 8.25 |
GK | 8.5 | 9 | 8.75 |
Strategy/Coaching | 7.5 | 7 | 7.25 |
Team Composure | 8.5 | 8 | 8.25 |
Average Score on the Revs Slyde-ing Scale: 8.25 /10 - The Revs are on a roll, and we hope they can keep it going!
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