Revs Roll Slows, But 2-Week Respite Hopefully Launches a Refreshed Campaign
- Revs on Both Coasts
- 6 minutes ago
- 7 min read
ROBC Vol. 3 No. 4, June 7, 2025
Source:revolutionsoccer.net
Matt: Fifteen days later, the Revs have played another four games and walked away with six out of a possible twelve points. Each game was different: one was stifled and dareIsay uninspired Revs team, the next was a Revs team that gave up a strong lead but came back to tie, Then another version of the Revs that played DC close but conceded a tying goal in the 91’, then yet another version of the Revs that ground down a Montréal team that had to play a man down for 53 minutes. The only thing I’m pretty sure we can take away from this set of matches is that Ilay Feingold, with three goals against DC and Montréal, doesn’t mind playing in the rain.
Josh: It’s been interesting to see a midseason Revolution who still is such a roller coaster of performance and connection.
Matt: Well, we’ll have to wait another seven weeks before there will be any indication of further roster changes. If nothing happens during the transfer window, I think the fan base will struggle to maintain enthusiasm for the 2025 campaign. Fun fact - the game against Montréal was the first time this season, and in six matches with a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 formation, that the Revs walked away with a win. The previous games with that starting formation resulted in 3 losses and 2 draws.
Josh: It’s hard to think that Coach Porter isn’t aware of trends like this. And that’s when, like, I appreciate that teams want to celebrate “X Games Unbeaten!” But does that really indicate the success of the season? 1 point is way better than 0, but a series of draws does not a playoff run make.
Matt: Well, I will never forget the May 17th game against the San Jose Quakes. It was basically Revs West returning to Gillette with Arena at the helm, and you flew to the Northeast to go to the game with me!
Josh: I think the fan(s) deserve a very special episode where we can talk about Both Coasts coming together. And, it was a good match - an offside call or two going the other way and The Ganago story is very different in 2025. I can tell you that on the Quakes’ side, the fans were psyched that a less-than-premium XI holding their own against the Revs felt like a victory.
Matt: About ten minutes into the game, I came to terms with the idea that Arena was willing to be content with a draw in order to rest Espinoza, López, and Martinez (though he did sub in at the very end in an attempt to score a last-minute goal). I wanted to see a game of high-octane offenses, but with most of the Quakes’ premium firepower absent and Campana walking off early with an injury, the intensity and pressure was pretty much nonexistent.
Josh: The Quakes have been playing a lot of soccer, so it makes sense the players need to recover, and the slate against Arena’s former team showed his priorities in that moment. It was a game of midfield control for sure. We didn’t see a lot of highlights from Carles either - and maybe not much during these 15 days.
Matt: The match against SKC reminded me of the Revs game against Orlando, except they switched roles with the Revs going up 2-0 to start before conceding three in a row. My three takeaways were: 1. I’m glad the Revs didn’t give up after going from 2-0 to 2-3. Anyone who follows any team has seen that movie before, and it’s not worth a rewatch, 2. Exciting to see Chancalay get on the scoresheet this season and watch Peyton Miller’s hard work and cross pay off with the own goal in the 22’, and 3. Great teamwork from Diaz and Urruti, who showed us he’s not ready to be done yet, tapping in the tying goal in the 84’.
Josh: For all the challenges facing the Revs, the New England fans love to see a young face emerge and start shining out on the pitch. Miller and Feingold are showing that MLS is not a retirement league any more.
Matt: Feingold is definitely an important part of the team, and he took an important step against DC, whom they should have beaten. The Revs unfortunately played down to them and settled for a 1-1 draw. Watching Ilay Feingold net his first MLS goal was very exciting. He seemed happy too, and the rain helped his post goal celly slide achieve maximum impact.
Josh: Revs have to seize those moments when they’re on the road, the other team’s star player is off the pitch, and the crowd is absent or hiding under the overhangs. And they did… for like 75 minutes. DC United continued their trend of leading the league in fouls, and even an adorable Pups In The Park night in DC couldn’t make them cute. But DCU kept knocking late in the game and broke through to frustrate us watching at home.
Matt: To finish out, The Revs played against Vrioni, who is now at the 9 for Montréal. The former Impact seemed like they wanted to make a game of it, but Vrioni lost his composure in the 37’ and earned a red card. There were lots of fun facts after this match:
The Montréal game was the first time this season the team has won when they started with a 4-2-3-1 formation (3 losses and 2 draws before the Montreal game).
Feingold scored a brace!
Keegan Hughes got his first MLS start against Montreal.
Peyton Miller scored his first MLS goal!
Brandon Bye hit 200 appearances for the Revs, and
Eric Klein (son of Rev Steve Klein) made his first MLS appearance
Whether the early red card had an impact on numbers 1, 2, 4, and 6, I’ll never know. Draw your own conclusions.
Josh: What else to add - an eventful night all around! We were wondering how Vrioni would appear against his former team… apparently on the bench. But we are also lucky that Polster was able to play after the maybe-might’ve-earned-a-red against DC.
Matt: Polster has a strong fan appreciation club, and for me his contributions were on full display in the Montréal game. It’s easy to be looking along the wings or tracking the opposing defensive line to anticipate the advancement of the ball, but I found myself leaving one eye in the midfield more often and seeing how effectively Polster was able to recover the ball and restart the attack.
Josh: Welcome to the Polster Appreciation Club! He reads the transition well and often gets the action reset back into the right direction for our Revs.
Matt: And in other good news, Donavan Parisian, the team’s recently signed young keeper, got called up for training with Armenia. Congrats, Donovan! I talked to him briefly at the beginning of the season, and he seems like a truly nice guy. I’m happy for him.
More Stats for Matches 12-15
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Kit | Formation | Score (Revs vs Opp) | xG | Opp. xG |
May 17 | San Jose | Home | Blue | 3 -- 5 -- 2 | 0-0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
May 24 | SKC | Away | White | 3 -- 4 -- 1 -- 2 | 3-3 | 2.4 | 2.4 |
May 28 | DC | Away | White | 4 -- 2 -- 3 -- 1 | 1,1 | 0.9 | 1.5 |
May 31 | Montreal | Away | White | 4 -- 2 -- 3 -- 1 | 3-0 | 1.2 | 1 |
Goal Scorers | Who scored 1st | Which half G scored | Revs GK Saves | Player return | player injury | G Open/Set Piece |
- | - | 0, 0 | 1 | Campana (32') | 0/0 | |
Chancalay, OG, Urruti | Revs | 2, 1 | 3 | 2/0 (OG) | ||
Feingold | Revs | 1, 0 | 3 | 1/0 | ||
Feingold x2, Miller | Revs | 0, 3 | 2 | 3/0 |
Josh: So the Tree Jersey equals goals? I think there’s a direct correlation, and the Revs are right to embrace it this season. And looking at the upcoming matches, they should keep these jerseys ready at all times.
Matt: My college statistics teacher needs me to say that correlation doesn’t equal causation…but the Eastern Pine Jersey has definitely grown on me this season. It’s dynamic, looks great on the pitch, and is a welcome, refreshed look for the team that IMHO didn’t need AnOtHeRwHiTeTeEsHiRt.
The Revs have 2 weeks off, which will allow for some welcome recovery time. This is an interesting stretch: Cincinnati, a rematch with season opener Nashville, and then Colorado. While the Revs have 2 weeks off, so does Cincinnati, but New England has a chance to take at least a point from this team by pressing and forcing Cincinnati to concede set pieces. Nashville, which played the Revs in the season opener to a 0-0 draw, has a couple of key players who won’t be rested due to international call-ups, and Colorado, who brings their own fight with Mihailovic, will be without Steffen. I know there word is that Campana will be back soon, but I’m not putting money on it.
Josh: Right now, there are 10 points from 2nd to 11th. And the rest of the upper tier is playing non-conference teams, so if The Team in Eastern Pine is going to make a move, now is the time!
Matt: I’d love to see the Revs get 7 points here, but in order to keep their place, and maybe advance in the standings, they need at least 5. Go Revs! Defend the Fort! Spill the Tea! Bring the Fight!
Revs On Both Coasts Slyde-ing Scale for Matches 12-15
Category | Matt | Josh | Average |
Offense | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Midfield | 6.5 | 6 | 6.25 |
Defense | 7.75 | 7 | 7.875 |
GK | 7.5 | 7 | 7.25 |
Strategy/Coaching | 7 | 8 | 7.5 |
Team Composure | 6 | 5 | 5.5 |
Average Score on the Revs Slyde-ing Scale: 6.89/10 - A big drop from last week, but hoping they recharge from the early June respite.
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