FOXBORO – New England Revolution earned their first outcome of the MLS season, but it wasn’t the one they wanted.
Under first-year head coach Caleb Porter, the Revolution (0-4-1) earned their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire FC (1-2-2) on a cold and soggy Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Porter stated, “It's a step forward but not the big step we wanted. We played to win at home and are not satisfied with a draw.”
The Revolution will have a bye week and then face Charlotte FC on April 6. They will also compete against Club America in the Concacaf Champions Cup on April 2 at Gillette, followed by the second leg on April 9 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Porter said, “There was a missing spark in our guys, and the last month has been demanding. It's important for them to take a few days off and refresh.”
Due to changes forced by a raid on his roster, Porter made significant changes to his Starting XI from the crew that lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati last Sunday.
The Revolution were without three significant players, Esmir Bajraktarevic (U.S.), Noel Buck (England), and Henrich Ravas (Slovakia), who are away for their FIFA international obligations.
Veteran keeper Earl Edwards Jr. started in goal against the Fire, with Nacho Gil taking Bajraktarevic’s slot as attacking midfielder. Matt Polster returned to the starting group after missing the FC Cincinnati match with a sore hamstring.
Porter said, “I thought he (Edwards) did well and gave us confidence with his kicking and overall performance.”
The Revolution’s possession game began in the 11th minute but failed to penetrate the Fire’s defense. The Fire countered with a transition strategy that was contained outside the scoring area.
The Fire scored in the 28th minute with a well-executed push through the Revolution box. Chicago captain Fabian Herbers made a clean cross to striker Hugo Cuypers, who scored his second goal of the season with a right foot chip shot.
Porter said, “It’s a step forward in many ways. We showed a lot of fight, and I’m disappointed we gave up the first goal. We have to do better there, but I liked our response and our second-half push to win.”
As the first half continued, the Revolution’s efforts got deeper, but they were unable to fully break down the Fire’s defense. Their persistence eventually paid off with a goal in stoppage time.
Left back DeJuan Jones assisted Carles Gil, who had an open shot at the Fire goal. Although the keeper made the save, Nacho Gil scored on the rebound for his first goal of the season.
“As you achieve results the confidence will increase and that is something that will come with results,” said Porter. “I believed DeJuan played well today but I still want to see him be more assertive while running.”
The Revolution dominated the game from the beginning of the second half, but had to endure consecutive corner kicks by the Fire in the 64th minute. Richey made a crucial stop on Tomas Chancalay in the 87th minute to maintain the tie.
A conflict erupted at midfield in the 90th minute but Chicago’s Tom Barlow was the only player given a yellow card. Carles Gil was given a yellow card for simulation on a play up field in stoppage time, a decision that left Porter furious after the game.
“Carles had an opportunity for us and could score what I believe would be the game-winning goal,” said Porter. “He is one of the top players in the league, and their player just stops the play.
“At the very least it is a foul, in my opinion it is a foul and a yellow card because he is stopping the play and the referee doesn’t even call a foul. I don’t know how that happens, it is just surprising. It’s strange to me in this league that a player like Carles is seen in that moment as diving.”
