By Mariana Smithfield
Porter on Saturday being his first match in Columbus since managing the Crew:
“I haven’t really thought about it too much. Obviously, I had some good years there. I’m proud of being a part of Campeones Cup and an MLS Cup, put two trophies in the trophy case. Obviously, the club has been excellent since I have left. They have gone to a whole other level. For me, it is about my team now, the Revolution, and improving and building for the future. I am still more convinced than ever that we are going to get to where we need to get. The vision doesn’t change. It is not a vision you set for one year, it is a long-term vision. Sometimes, it takes two or three years. In Portland, it took three years to win an MLS Cup. In Columbus, it took two. So, you never know the path it is going to take and you never know how that is going to go. It just depends, but I am never more convinced that we are going to get there. Even though we are out of the playoffs, these next two weeks, nothing changes. We are going to keep working, keep building, keep growing, keep fighting, and I expect the players to keep playing to a high standard and to keep showing they want to be a part of the future of this club, to be a part of the project, and that they are on board, they are on the bus, and excited for the future.”
MLS Regular Season | Match #33
New England Revolution at Columbus Crew
Saturday, October 12 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Lower.com Field | Columbus, Ohio
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
English Talent: Keith Costigan (Play-by-Play), Lori Lindsey (Analyst)
Spanish Talent: Sergio Ruiz (Play-by-Play), Walter Roque (Analyst)
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub (English), 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
English Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst)
New England Revolution
14th in Eastern Conference (9-19-4, 31 pts.)
Last Result | 2-1 loss vs. D.C. United
The New England Revolution’s hunt for the playoffs officially came to an end last weekend with a defeat at home to D.C. United, but there is still plenty to play for with two games to go in the 2024 season. This Saturday’s trip to face the Columbus Crew will pose a stern test of the squad’s character, and head coach Caleb Porter said this week that he was not so much concerned with his return to his old stomping ground as he was with seeing his Revolution players perform like professionals with pride for the badge and the game.
With postseason qualification off the table, the focus does inevitably begin to shift to the 2025 season, and with thoughts of the future come thoughts of the stellar seasons that New England’s young talents Esmir Bajraktarević and Peyton Miller have enjoyed. Both are away on international duty this weekend, a testament to the levels they’ve reached this campaign. First-year Revs Alhassan Yusuf and Xavier Arreaga are also away with their respective national teams, and hopes are high that both will continue to deliver when they return for Decision Day and into next season.
Columbus Crew
2nd in Eastern Conference (17-6-9, 60 pts.)
Last Result | 3-2 win vs. Philadelphia Union
The Columbus Crew have already clinched 2nd place in the Eastern Conference notwithstanding the outcome of their final two games, but any team that has Wilfried Nancy leading them from the sideline should be expected to put up more than just a fight when they take the field, regardless of how the league table shapes up. The Black and Gold will similarly have big names missing due to international duty – Cucho Hernández chief among them – but that’s no reason to think the Crew won’t turn up for this one, with the only loss in their last six matches coming against Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami CF, in the contest that secured the Herons top spot in the league.
Columbus has proved to be a historically tough opponent for the Revs, with the Crew owning a 40-24-18 all-time regular season record against New England. However, the Revolution remain undefeated at Lower.com Field since the move from Historic Crew Stadium, holding their own for three draws across the last three seasons.
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