FOXBOROUGH — Under coach Bruce Arena, the Revolution established a successful style of play. From 2019 through last season, the team attacked with abandon, often leaving the defense feeling, well, abandoned.
The strategy worked mainly because Arena set up the Revolution in his image, and they reflected the confidence of the league’s winningest coach.
Since Arena was placed on administrative leave last August, things have not gone well. Now, Caleb Porter is trying to get a handle on the situation.
Porter made certain the Revolution got off to a strong start in the Champions Cup, but it took six tries to earn an MLS victory — 1-0, against Charlotte FC on Saturday night.
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Carles and Nacho Gil combined for the Revolution goal in the third minute of first-half added time. Nacho started the sequence with a steal, then went 70 yards to run onto a pass from Carles. Nacho’s shot was saved, then Carles followed for his third goal of the season.
The Revolution went on the defensive in the second half, and though they failed to attempt another shot on goal, their all-in defending could go far in forming their identity.
Judging by this game, the Revolution will no longer be freewheeling forward-flyers, but they will fight for each other, and leave the highlight plays to Los Hermanos Gil and, possibly, Tomás Chancalay.
First, though, the Revolution must survive a visit to Club América at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday. Las Aguilas took a 4-0 win in the opening leg, and the Revolution will be facing enormous odds. No amount of offensive commitment or determined defending is likely to make a difference.
Porter is not throwing in the towel, but it is clear his priority is salvaging the league season, continuing with next Saturday’s visit to New York City FC.
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Where has it gone wrong for the Revolution? Part of the difficulty has been replacing key players.
The team has dropped off offensively since Tajon Buchanan (Inter Milan) and Adam Buksa (Antalyaspor in Turkey) departed for Europe, and replacements Dylan Borrero (injured) and Giacomo Vrioni have yet to produce consistently. Also gone is striker Gustavo Bou, making way for Chancalay, who has converted four goals in the Champions Cup but zero in league play.
The Revolution defense has fallen a notch without goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who followed Matt Turner to the Premier League, plus right back Brandon Bye (injured). Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas recorded three shutouts in the Champions Cup but did not complete his first in MLS until the Charlotte match.
Ravas’s four blankings in nine appearances puts him ahead of the pace set by Petrovic (15 in 48 games) and Turner (24 in 109). However, the Revolution were not set up as shutout specialists during Arena’s reign, when their offensive production offset defensive defects. Also, in key moments, Petrovic and Turner were reliable.
Another difficulty is dealing with a roster overloaded with holding midfielders and short on strikers, unless former US national team forward Bobby Wood recovers from a knee injury. There is little flexibility, with most players locked into contracts.
It has taken Porter time to figure it out. That is why the Revolution went back to basics against Charlotte.
“As simple as it sounds, we talked a lot about just getting back to being good at what you’re good at and focusing on your performance and doing your job,” Porter said. “I thought that the guys did that and we simplified the plan a little bit.
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“In fact, I was probably overdoing it a little bit, just trying to give these guys everything we needed to win. And I honestly simplified it for them this game and we got back to just being a good defensive team, play in transition, but get a clean sheet, score the first goal, get a win.”
Last season, the Revolution were in second place in the league after 23 games, before Arena’s departure. Based on that standing, the Revolution believed they were on the verge of winning a championship, and Porter could deliver it. They might have overestimated their talent, and also misjudged how finely-tuned it was to Arena’s specifications.
The Revolution have also run into a front-loaded schedule, something they have seldom handled well in their 29-year history, partly because of the cold weather’s effect on preseason training.
The Revolution hired Porter to win an MLS Cup, not the Champions Cup. And though Porter said he has not given up on the series with Club América, he is being pragmatic in preparing.
“I wanted to get this win with one group and then, honestly, we’re going to rotate and play a completely different group on Tuesday,” Porter said Saturday. “To say, realistically, we’re going to put all our eggs in that basket to win 5-0 to advance would be, I think, silly, if I’m honest.”
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Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at frankdellapa@gmail.com.