TORONTO – The New England Revolution emerged victorious once again on Saturday afternoon, securing a fourth straight shutout win at BMO Field. The 2-0 triumph solidified a spot in club history for this group, as the Revolution’s seven goals against is the fewest allowed through 10 games in the team’s 30 seasons. With five clean sheets on the year – including four on the road – this Revolution squad has proven to be one of the stingiest and most disciplined defensive units in MLS, setting the tone for a campaign that has been steadily heading in the right direction for the past month.
“We want to be a contender this year and to be a contender you have to be consistent,” said head coach Caleb Porter. “We have to continue to follow our process, but we’re going to keep being hungry. Part of our process is being a good defensive team and having 11 guys on the pitch that work hard. I’m proud of that, because to have a good defensive team, it takes 11 guys who are willing to defend.”
Porter emphasized that true defensive strength comes from everyone on the pitch, not just the backline. For him, being difficult to break down is a fundamental part of the club’s identity.
“One of our mantras is ‘defending is like breathing,’” he said. “There’s no choice in our club. You do it, or you die. It’s that simple.”
Beyond defensive fortitude, what the Revs had been searching for is balance – trying to find the connection between being strong defensively and threatening on the attack. And while it took them a few games to discover, recent results have produced an attacking edge.
Saturday’s match saw Carles Gil with yet another goal for the Revolution, bringing his tally to a team-leading five goals this season. The captain kicked off the scoring early for the Revs, converting a stunning volley in just the 11th minute.
“The three on top, we know we need to be there every time, in that spot behind the ball,” Gil explained. “I think I was on the spot. I saw the space there, because the keeper was a little bit on the left. I made a good touch, and I think it was important for us, because we know if we go in and score an earlier first goal, for them it will be hard.”
Security came in the 27th minute, when Leo Campana made it 2-0 with a decisive finish off an assist from Alhassan Yusuf. Campana, who had been shown a yellow card just moments earlier, quickly refocused, finishing what would be the final goal of the afternoon.
“I think we had a very good game on the attack. Also, we are a little disappointed because we couldn’t score a minimum of three or four, even five balls,” said Gil. “But for me, what’s important is continuing to create these types of chances, because it’s coming. We scored a few goals in the first half – many other opportunities, with many other guys creating the chances. So, we continue to be a better team, that’s what we want and win games.”
The tone of this season has changed quickly for the Revolution. Where they were once searching for a single goal – going scoreless in their first three matches – they’re now hungry for more, even after a comfortable 2-0 win.
With four straight wins under their belt, the Revolution locker room is teeming with confidence. Originally in search of identity, the Revolution have evolved into a squad with clarity and conviction – organized at the back and increasingly dangerous in the final third.
The Revolution now look toward a busy stretch, as the Round of 32 awaits in the U.S. Open Cup. New England will play close to home, facing off with Rhode Island FC on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET) in only the second-ever game to be played at Rhode Island’s newly-built stadium. Following the midweek clash in Pawtucket, the Revs will return to regular season action with another road game in Orlando next Saturday night.
