FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Mired in a six match winless streak, the New England Revolution are searching for any possible solution to break their slump.
Since beating the New York Red Bulls on May 2, the Revs have gone 0-2-4, finding myriad ways to turn wins into draws and draws into losses. Late goals have been an issue, with New England conceding a combined five times after the 75th minute in draws against Orlando and D.C. and in their 2-0 loss at Portland last weekend.
“Up to this point, I think each game you look at differently,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “I thought this last game, [goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth] had to make way too many saves. We defended well in that we gave everything we had, but I think our offense let us down. I think if you look back at the other games where we’ve given up goals, they have one or two chances and we’ve given up goals. So, there’s different reasons for each. In the end, the same result is there: that we’re giving up goals and we shouldn’t.”
Last Saturday, the Revs and Timbers were scoreless through 85 minutes before substitute striker Fanendo Adi bagged a late brace to send New England home empty-handed. They led in all five matches prior to the Portland loss, scoring first each time before losing focus, shipping goals and dropping points.
“For 75 percent of the game, we’re really solid at not giving up chances,” said Revs center back Andrew Farrell. “Then there’s just that one mental breakdown where maybe two of the four [defenders] aren’t 100-percent focused. We just need to focus a little bit more. It’s coming. It’s not a lack of effort. I think it will come; we've just got to put it all together.”
The Revolution have earned a reputation for streakiness over the last two seasons; in 2014, they put together two separate five-game winning streaks but also suffered through a seven-game losing skid before finally going on a nine-game unbeaten run to reach the MLS Cup final. This year, they ran off a 5-0-1 stretch but have now conceded 12 times during their current winless run, seven times in the second half. On the flip side, the New England offense has consistently come out swinging before drying up in the second stanza, scoring six times in the first half but just twice in the final 45.
They’re focused on changing that – and on ending their winless streak – this Saturday, when they host Eastern Conference rivals Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
“It’s really about us, about things we can control,” said forward Teal Bunbury. “We have to start focusing on executing a more lethal plan, being able to finish teams off and maybe not be too complacent. We need to get three points. That’s as simple as it can get for us. We haven’t gotten three points in a long time. We have the guys to do it.”
