FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Revolution shut the door on a nine-game winless streak on Saturday night and walked away with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United at Gillette Stadium. It was a massively important three points for the Revs as they try to climb back into playoff contention with nine games left in the season.
For New England, whose last home win had come in mid-April, it was a vital bit of momentum as they chase down late-season glory.
“We’ve got to take it one at a time. This is a good three points, obviously very important, but we have to do it again next week,” said head coach Caleb Porter following the win. “When we went 2-0 you could just see the confidence bubble up. I’m really proud of the guys. We looked like a team. One of the things I said is, a lot of people talk about character being revealed when no one’s watching, and I think it’s when everybody’s watching.”
The night was about more than just results, as goalkeeper Matt Turner made his return to Gillette Stadium and earned a clean sheet in his first game back in Foxborough since 2022. Turner helped the Revs secure their ninth shutout of the year, just one shy of matching the club’s single-season record.
“It was pretty emotional walking out for me. Just being back in the stadium, feeling the love from the warmup, to before the game, to everything, I love it here. I love New England, it’s really like home for me,” said the ‘keeper. “For me, it was more than just showing up, but also understanding that there’s something to achieve, something to do. So, I want to put in good performances.”
Turner, a Revolution alumnus himself, made his return debut in front of 20 Revolution greats who visited Gillette Stadium for Alumni Night. Among those club legends was Taylor Twellman (129), who watched as midfielder Carles Gil (130) surpassed his record for most goal contributions in Revolution history.
The captain sealed the win for the Revolution, scoring his ninth goal of the season in the 70th minute, just eight minutes after assisting Leo Campana’s opening goal.
For Turner, who played with Gil from 2019 until his departure to the English Premier League, it was a familiar scene as he was reunited with the impactful playmaker.
“I was really happy to be here for Carles. He’s such an unassuming, quiet guy, but he is a leader. He’s a leader in the way that he cares, and in the way that he always contributes with goals and assists,” said Turner. “He’s just such an amazing player and such an amazing talent. I think there’s no one more deserving to have that record for this club right now.”
Gil, who leads the team in both goals (9) and assists (9) this season, was happy to lead the Revs to a much-needed win. While it was something to celebrate, he remains focused on the task at hand – making a run for the playoffs.
“Right now, every game for us is a final if we want to make the playoffs. It was a very important win, and obviously to have Matt [Turner] back is special for everyone here, and for the fans, too. We love him and we are very lucky to have not just him, also Ali [Ivačič],” explained the captain. “But the truth is that we need to improve. We are coming from a very difficult run, having some bad games, but maybe it’s an opportunity for this group to do something special.”
New England will close their four-game homestand next weekend, as they host Western Conference contenders Los Angeles FC. The talented LA side pose a formidable threat, bolstered by their new record signing, forward Son Heung-min, but it’s a challenge Gil says his team is ready for as they make the push toward playoffs.
“Right now, it’s game-by-game for us, but finals. Nine more games, we need seven wins maybe for playoffs, so who can tell us we can’t beat LAFC or Columbus? We need to believe,” he said. “We need to fight to the end, and minimum, win games like today.”
