3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 3-2 loss vs. the Chicago Fire

The Revolution misplaced 3-2 on the highway towards the Chicago Hearth on Saturday night time, as New England’s already slim path to the playoffs all however closed utterly.

A purpose within the second minute from Chicago’s Jonathan Bamba, and one other one eight minutes later from Hearth ahead Philip Zinckernagel, created an insurmountable gap for Caleb Porter’s crew.

After falling behind 3-0 within the second half (through a Hugo Cuypers end within the 68th minute), the Revolution have been capable of finding a breakthrough from 17-year-old left Peyton Miller, who sprinted previous his marker and tucked his narrow-angled shot into the far nook.

A second purpose in stoppage time through a Carles Gil penalty kick introduced the margin again to a single rating deficit. However even after making a respectable likelihood to tie the sport within the ultimate seconds, it proved to be a bridge too far for New England, who fell to a 8-14-7 report in 2025 MLS video games.

Listed below are a number of takeaways from an evening that felt prefer it had some finality to it:

A disastrous begin didn’t finish the sport, nevertheless it successfully determined it.

Taking part in with out center-back Mamadou Fofana and heart ahead Leo Campana (on worldwide obligation), in addition to heart midfielder Matt Polster (injured), the temporary interval of continuity within the Beginning XI that had (principally) existed in current video games was shattered.

Of their locations, Tanner Beason deputized within the line of defense, Jackson Yueill stuffed in for a second straight week for Polster (who was suspended within the previous sport), and Designated Participant Tomás Chancalay took Campana’s spot up high.

Nearly inside seconds after kickoff, it grew to become clear that Chicago — enjoying a reasonably attacking 4-3-3 formation — may move proper via the Revolution midfield with out going through resistance. The opening purpose started in a sequence that was associated to this reality.

Within the buildup to the purpose, Chicago central midfielder Brian Gutiérrez dropped from a complicated place again to the highest of the middle circle. Receiving a move from protection together with his again turned, he was allowed to spin towards the New England purpose. Not solely that, however as a result of he had fully escaped the marking of each Yueill and Alhassan Yusuf, Gutiérrez was allowed to compose himself earlier than chipping a wonderfully weighted move excessive of the Revolution protection.

Bamba, working onto the move from Gutiérrez, sprinted in behind New England’s try at an offside lure. Sadly for Revolution followers, it was additionally not an excellent second for newly-returned goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Since getting back from Europe on mortgage, Turner has largely been wonderful for New England even amid powerful outcomes. But towards Bamba on Saturday, Turner made a uncommon miscalculation, leaping over the ball within the perception that the Chicago ahead would attempt to lob the ball into the web. Bamba merely glided previous Turner’s leap, patiently ready for the empty web (which he didn’t miss).

And but, the complete scope of the debacle was nonetheless taking form for the Revolution. Moments later, with Chicago as soon as once more allowed to carry the ball at will simply exterior the New England field, Zinckernagel ultimately ripped a shot into the far nook previous Turner’s outstretched hand. Whereas the second purpose was much less Turner’s fault (blame falls extra naturally on the ft of the invisible Revolution midfield and central protection), it was a ten minutes to overlook for the U.S. worldwide.

Chicago allowed loads of avenues again into the sport.

Whereas the Revolution pressed the self-destruct button a number of occasions within the opening 25 minutes — practically permitting a 3rd purpose within the twenty fourth minute that was denied solely by a top quality Turner save — the Hearth additionally performed a extremely imperfect sport.

Chicago can also be combating desperately for a playoff bid (at the moment occupying the ultimate play-in sport spot), and appeared like a mid-table crew. In moments, their assault appeared dynamic, and the Revolution have been unable to forestall extended passing sequences proper in entrance of their very own purpose.

But the house crew additionally allowed New England loads of openings, because the “anticipated targets” statistic signifies (whether or not you consider the MLS model or the one from FotMob). Chicago’s insistence on enjoying the ball out from the again every time they regained possession necessitated some dangerous moments when a extra organized New England press may need created turnovers.

However as has been the case for the Revolution for many of 2025, they have been unable to benefit from errors made by an opponent, particularly when it got here to scoring targets.

Even nonetheless, Gil’s late penalty following Miller’s 78th minute purpose arrange a frantic ultimate jiffy during which Porter’s crew nearly pulled out a miraculous equalizer. Chancalay drove to the close to put up to latch onto a cross from Brandon Bye, however Hearth goalkeeper Chris Brady was capable of get simply sufficient on the save to forestall the ball going previous him.

“Ultimately, the sport is on me.”

With the defeat, New England isn’t technically eradicated mathematically (that would occur with one other loss subsequent week vs. Toronto), however are successfully out of the postseason race.

5 video games left and going through an 11-point hole to the playoff line implies that — on the very least — the Revolution are not even fractionally in command of their very own future. A number of miracles (each by way of attaining wins and opponents discovering methods to lose) could be required.

Talking to reporters within the postgame press convention on Saturday, Porter appeared like a coach who understood the circumstances.

“Our plan was to remove the center and we didn’t try this. That’s on me, I’m the coach,” he stated. “Clearly, I put together the crew and decide the gamers. Ultimately, the sport is on me.”

Requested by Blazing Musket senior editor Seth Macomber if he’s had discussions with the membership about his future, Porter gave a prolonged reply.

“I haven’t had any big-picture, long-term discussions with anybody concerning the future,” he responded. “Clearly, up till this level, we nonetheless had a shot within the playoffs. We understand now that that’s slim. Chicago has six video games [left in the season], we now have 5. It’ll take a miracle. We perceive that it was a must-win sport.

“I consider we’ve improved,” Porter stated of the crew throughout his tenure. “I consider the crew is heading in the right direction, however the outcomes haven’t mirrored that. That’s the truth. The fact is it’s two years, no playoffs. The fact is that we’ve not received sufficient video games. That’s on me. Clearly, it’s not simply on me, we’re a membership, however for certain, it’s on me; I’m the pinnacle coach, so I’m an enormous a part of it. Proper now, it’s disappointing. Once more, I do assume we’re making progress, I do assume we’re heading in the right direction. I feel that’s mirrored in how aggressive we’re in each sport, however it’s about outcomes on this enterprise. I get that.”