FOXBOROUGH, Mass.–The New England Revolution have now missed their fourth straight opportunity to clinch a spot in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. So they'll need a result in their final game of the season next Sunday, against New York City FC, in order to ensure their inclusion in the postseason.
With a 1-0 home loss to Montreal on Saturday night, the Revs have now dropped from the top of the Eastern Conference table to sixth place after an 0-3-1 run.
“We’re disappointed in the results we’re getting, but we still have belief and we still know we can do it,” said the Revs' Scott Caldwell, who was voted the club’s most valuable player prior to the match. “We can turn this thing around and get some results.”
Once again the Revolution found themselves with ample opportunities in attack, but they were unable to complete their finishes, minus a Jermaine Jones effort off a Chris Tierney free kick in the 10th minute that was called back for offside.
Then they were felled by one Impact strike, created by Ignacio Piatti, who sliced through the New England defenders before unleashing a rocket from just outside of the box.
“We were on his heels and we were there,” said Revolution coach Jay Heaps of Montreal’s goal. “We probably should have taken a foul. I think we were playing it way too straight…. He kind of shifted; it wasn’t like he blew by people, but he just kind of lumbered his way to a great spot, then all of the sudden he gets it on his right foot. He’s got class with his right foot.”
“Piatti’s top class in this league,” added Tierney. “If you give him a little bit of space, he’s going to punish you.”
It was only the second loss of the season at home for New England (9-2-6 at Gillette Stadium), but even more frustrating for Heaps was that it came in front of 42,947 fans at Gillette Stadium, the largest home crowd the Revs have seen in their 20-year history.
“The fans were great tonight,” Heaps said. “I thought we went about the game to really get energized. I felt like when we scored the goal that was called back, it felt like this place was going to explode at any moment. As a coach, you’re disappointed because you know on any given night if we can play the way we’re capable of, we would have had that explosion tonight. I credit the fans for being here…. I just wish we could have given them a little bit more to go home and celebrate.”
Craig Forde covers the New England Revolution for MLSsoccer.com.
