The New England Revolution's success in Concacaf Champions Cup has not translated to league games.
The Revolution started the MLS season with three losses, including a 4-1 defeat to Atlanta United FC in front of over 67,000 fans at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta United FC scored three goals against the Revolution, making him the second MLS player to achieve a hat trick against them this season. Christian Benteke of D.C. United also scored three goals against the Revolution in the season opener.
Revolution head coach Caleb Porter expressed dissatisfaction with the team's league position and their inability to convert chances and prevent easy goals.
Porter emphasized that the team needs to improve at converting their chances and avoiding conceding easy goals.
The Revolution (3-0) will face LD Alajuelense in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 on Thursday at Estadio Alejandro Morea Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica, before resuming MLS play against FC Cincinnati on March 17 at Gillette Stadium.
The Revolution made significant changes to their starting lineup for their recent game against LD Alajuelense, while Atlanta FC played their first game since losing their MLS opener.
Porter commented on the team's fatigue compared to Atlanta FC, due to playing their third game in six days.
Captain Carles Gil, who signed a four-year contract extension, returned to the 10-slot after missing the previous game against Alajuelense.
Giacomo Vrioni returned to the striker spot in Porter's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation after missing games against Toronto FC and Alajuelense due to yellow card accumulation. Henry Kessler played alongside Dave Romney in the backline.
Vrioni nearly scored in the fourth minute, and Tomas Chancalay's header hit the crossbar in the 13th minute.
Atlanta scored in the 45th minute and stoppage time through a penalty kick, following a foul by Revs' keeper Henrich Ravas on Giorgos Giakoumakis. Thiago Almada converted the penalty.
Porter thought the first half was promising in terms of execution and identified missed scoring opportunities.
Porter lamented being 1-0 down at halftime and considered it a difficult goal to concede at the end of the half.
The Revolution played with ten men from the 50th minute after DeJuan Jones left the field due to a forearm to the face, but he returned to play two minutes later.
Atlanta United scored their second penalty kick in the 55th minute to go up 2-0 after right back Nick Lima was penalized for a hand ball in the penalty area.
Giakoumakis scored a header off a Brooks Lennon cross in the 60th minute, extending Atlanta United FC's lead to 3-0. He completed a hat trick by beating Ravas to the far post in the 74th minute.
Carles Gil scored the only goal for the Revolution from a corner kick in the 83rd minute.
