FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After a trio of frustrating results – and three missed chances to officially clinch a spot in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs – the New England Revolution could use a little extra boost to get over the hump they’ve been trying to climb for the past month.
They may well get it on Saturday night.
A potentially record-breaking crowd is expected to pack Gillette Stadium for the Revolution’s regular-season home finale against the Montreal Impact, with club president Brian Bilello tweeting on Wednesday that attendance could top the 40,000 mark.
New England’s current record attendance for a stand-alone, regular-season game is 39,256, set back on August 30, 2008, when the Revs played David Beckham and the LA Galaxy to a 2-2 draw.
Should the Revs top that figure on Saturday night they’ll be hoping to make it a memorable experience for those in attendance, as they would clinch a third straight playoff berth with a win or draw.
“This is what you play for,” said head coach Jay Heaps, who was on the field for that 2008 meeting with the Galaxy. “You’re hoping that all the games are like this. We’re excited that it’s going to be a good crowd, and we want to go out there and punch our ticket.”
If the Revs are able to punch their ticket on Saturday night they’ll need more than just a strong crowd to get the job done. Heaps has spent the past two weeks working with his side to correct the mistakes that have plagued them throughout their current mini-slump (0-2-1).
But there’s no denying that the crowd will play a role, and the players couldn’t hide their excitement this week at the prospect of massive home support spurring them to a much-needed result.
“You can feel the difference when you are on the field; there is no doubt about this,” said Jose Goncalves. “It’s extra motivation. I like to play in a stadium that’s full, packed with big ambience. I’m expecting a lot of people coming this weekend. It will be a really good game and I’m excited for that.”
Both Goncalves and Kelyn Rowe referenced the second leg of last year’s Eastern Conference Championship against the New York Red Bulls as an example of how the crowd can affect a result.
Trailing by a goal in the second half of that game – and level on aggregate in the two-game series – the Revs were pushed over the hump by the 32,698 fans in attendance, as Charlie Davies nabbed the series-winning goal to claim an Eastern Conference title and send the Revs to MLS Cup.
“When you find the ball and you’re driving towards even the other side of the field, you hear just this huge roar,” said Rowe. “I think that really brings our spirits up no matter how the game’s going.
“So if we’re tied or down a goal, we do get that boost from the fans to get another one. I think it’s going to be an amazing experience.”
