At Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, the Revolution suffered a 3-2 defeat to Nashville, South Carolina. The outcome was as disheartening as New England has experienced in 2025.
With a Nashville team missing a number of players due to international duty and injuries, it seemed like a great chance to win at home against a top opponent. However, even though the Revolution had several leads in the game, they wasted each one and ultimately fell behind a string of goals from the opposition in the second half.
With the second straight home loss, New England is still in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, outside the playoff cut.
Here are some conclusions:
Good starts to both halves
Revolution head coach Caleb Porter selected Tom Chancalay and Maxi Urruti to play up top in the now-familiar 3-4-1-2 formation since strikers Leo Campana and Ignatius Ganago were unable to start due to injury (although Campana was on the bench).
In the first few minutes of the first half, Chancalay, one of the team’s designated players, looked like the part. On a restart following a foul just within the Revolution half of the field in the fifteenth minute, he made a vertical run that attracted the attention of New England captain Carles Gil.
Chancalay expertly deflected Gil’s wonderfully weighted pass over the top of the defense with his right foot before slashing the ball into the net with his left.
New England went into a rut after that in the first half, from which they eventually conceded an equalizer prior to halftime.
However, Porter’s squad once again came out strong at the beginning of the second half. The intensity culminated in a second goal, this time from center-back Brayan Ceballos, as they pushed to acquire (and then hold) possession.
Ceballos made no mistake on Chancalay’s in-swinging cross from a free kick and has been close on set piece attempts previously in the season. The Colombian defender scored with a powerful header after evading his man.
Nevertheless, New England’s strong beginnings in both half were high points because the squad was unable to sustain its momentum in either game.
Defensive lapses have returned
It seems more and more obvious that the benefits of 3-4-1-2 are beginning to wane after the formation change in April, which provided a welcome break from persistent defensive blunders. New England has given up 14 goals across all competitions (seven games) since May 10.
Additionally, the Revolution gave up three goals on Wednesday, which has happened four times since May.
In particular, Matt Polster’s absence—caused by illness—was noticeable. When on the pitch, the seasoned midfielder gives New England’s entire team bite and grit, which is undoubtedly crucial for defense.
On Wednesday, Nashville midfielders were much too frequently given the opportunity to either hold the ball in New England’s half or progress it upfield with little interference. The 32-year-old frequently takes the lead, even though there are structural reasons why one player—Polster included—cannot be expected to press every opponent. After falling behind in the second half, the Revolution faltered without his commanding presence.
Revolution need more from Campana
On the opposite end of the pitch, the obvious problems with goal scoring (and creating chances) that persisted even during the ever longer unbeaten streak continue to be a significant worry.
Given that Chancalay has been playing more and more like his pre-ACL injury self lately, his goal was definitely a comforting indication.
If Porter maintains the present formation, the other forward position is definitely up for grabs. The clear choice is Campana, a 24-year-old who the team acquired from Inter Miami in the offseason for a record-breaking $2.5 million in guaranteed General Allocation Money.
The center’s progress has been hindered by numerous hamstring ailments, which have limited his playing time thus far. New England supporters, however, have not yet witnessed anything approaching his peak performance, even when he has been on the field.
According to FotMob, Campana only managed eight touches on the ball after entering the game in the 65th minute on Wednesday. Luis Diaz, a winger, was substituted on fifteen minutes following Campana and had the fewest touches. Needless to say, he was shotless.
Like the defensive concerns, New England’s chances-creation problems are systemic, and it would be unjust to place all the blame on Campana, especially because he is only getting back from a second hamstring injury.
However, it is evident that the Ecuadorian, who has scored two goals in ten games, is an essential member of the team’s most vital component (scoring goals). The Revolution’s chances of making the playoffs will probably depend on how he performs over the coming months.
If anyone had any concerns, they only had to glance across the field to Nashville, where center forward Sam Surridge scored a hat-trick. The fact that he currently has 15 goals this season—the most in MLS—is undoubtedly a major factor in Nashville’s closeness to the top of the standings.
Since 2016, Hayden Bird has been employed at Boston.com as a sports staff writer. He covers every aspect of New England sports.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Get the latest information about your preferred Boston teams delivered directly to your inbox from our staff.
