MLS Regular Season | Match #30
New England Revolution vs. Charlotte FC
Saturday, September 30 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
English Talent: Erik Krakauer (Play-by-Play), Lloyd Sam (Analyst)
Spanish Talent: Raul Guzman (Play-by-Play), Jaime Macias (Analyst)
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (English); 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
Radio Talent: Brad Feldman (Play-by-Play), Charlie Davies (Analyst)
- Call also available to sync on MLS Season Pass
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CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
6th in Eastern Conference (13-6-10, 49 pts.)
Last Result | 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire FC
Having clinched a spot in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the New England Revolution have sights set on securing homefield advantage in the final five games of the regular season. The Revs return to Gillette Stadium this weekend following a three-game road stretch, eager to extend their impressive record on their own turf, as the only side in MLS to remain undefeated at home this year (10-0-4). With three of their remaining five matches to be hosted in Foxborough, the squad will hope home comforts will help to build momentum for a strong postseason push. On the back of a 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire FC, New England head into Saturday’s visit of Charlotte FC in sixth place in the Eastern Conference but just two points behind second-placed Orlando City SC, with a game in hand on four of the top five teams (and two over Atlanta United). Victory against the Crown could kickstart the club’s campaign at a crucial time in the chase for MLS Cup glory.
Charlotte FC
13th in Eastern Conference (7-10-12, 33 pts.)
Last Result | 3-0 loss at FC Cincinnati
Charlotte FC travel to Foxborough looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Crown currently sit in 13th spot in the Eastern Conference – four points shy of ninth place – and are hoping to take advantage of their games in hand to punch their ticket to the postseason tournament. Christian Lattanzio’s side have played at least one match fewer than the five clubs above them in the table and will be working to turn draws into victories. Notching just seven wins all year – three of those on the road – the North Carolina outfit have recorded the second-highest number of draws (12) leaguewide, including eight on their own patch, and have shipped the third-most goals (48). Though winless in their last five games, they had gone undefeated prior to a 3-0 setback against Supporters’ Shield leaders FC Cincinnati with four successive ties. Surrendering leads in three of those four draws however (the other game a goalless stalemate with D.C. United), Saturday’s visitors to Gillette Stadium have also spurned the highest number of points (23) from winning positions this term.
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
With expansion side Charlotte entering MLS in 2022, this weekend’s encounter marks only the fourth meeting between the two sides. New England shade the short series 2-1-0 – victorious in the last two fixtures. Goals from Adam Buksa and Matt Polster secured a 2-1 triumph in April 2022 – the only previous clash at Gillette Stadium – and Henry Kessler’s dramatic 89th-minute effort edged the most recent match-up in this year’s season opener in North Carolina in February.
Overall Record vs. Charlotte FC: 2-1-0
Home Record vs. Charlotte FC: 1-0-0
Last meeting at Gillette Stadium: Revs 2, Charlotte 1 (April 16, 2022)
Last meeting at Bank of America Stadium: Revs 1, Charlotte 0 (February 25, 2023)
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution midfielder Matt Polster
As New England adapt to a new coaching style and new system under the stewardship of interim head coach Clint Peay, experience, versatility and leadership will be pivotal in aiding a smooth transition, with the Revs desperate to rekindle their best form for their playoff challenge. Polster, who is set to make his 100th MLS appearance for the club this weekend, has demonstrated his professionalism and teamwork in recent weeks, stepping into the unfamiliar role of the defensive backline as both a left and right-sided inverted fullback. Though naturally more comfortable in midfield, he has deputized wherever needed with the tactical switch intended to complement his strengths as the link between defense and attack. Clocking the team’s second-most minutes in league action this term (2,295), as well as the second-highest number of passes (1,174) and duels (226), the 30-year-old ranks amongst the top five midfielders in MLS for interceptions (1st – 151), clearances (129) and blocked shots (38) since joining the club in 2020, and stands in the top 10 for interceptions (41) and possessions won (196) this year. He has also enjoyed facing Charlotte in the past with a goal (the match-winner in April 2022) and assist to his name in three appearances against the North Carolina side.
Charlotte FC forward Karol Świderski
The Crown’s top scorer this season with 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions, the Polish forward was back on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union for the first time since July’s Leagues Cup triumph over Club Necaxa, after helping to tee up Justin Meram’s opener. Crafting six goal involvements in four games, Charlotte’s first Designated Player entered Leagues Cup in fine form and rekindled his creative touch to tee up Ashley Westwood against LAFC in August, before earning another assist for his country in a 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands earlier this month. The striker (who can operate as a #10) netted his eighth MLS goal of the campaign with a header against the Union, nodding home Brandt Bronico’s delivery at the near post. Since making the move to North Carolina in January 2022 from Greek side PAOK (where he lifted three trophies), the 26-year-old has notched 21 goals and 11 assists in 64 appearances in all competitions. He bagged a brace against New England in March 2022’s meeting at Bank of America Stadium, and leading his side’s goalscoring attempts (62), shots on target, and tallying their second-most key passes this season, Świderski will certainly be one for the Revolution defense to be wary of on Saturday night.
STATUS REPORT
New England Revolution
New goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík could make his debut between the sticks, while Gustavo Bou has returned to full training this week after missing the last seven games with a leg injury. Henry Kessler (hamstring) is also continuing to make progress, but Damián Rivera has been ruled out with a knee injury. Brandon Bye (ACL) and Dylan Borrero (knee) remain unavailable.
Charlotte FC
Midfielder Ben Bender missed last weekend’s trip to FC Cincinnati with a knee injury and may miss out again for the trip to Gillette Stadium, while forward Vinicius Mello (leg) is not in contention.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Revolution interim head coach Clint Peay on his first weeks in the role and the focus for the next five games:
“[It’s going] well. The guys have been great. The mentality of the players has been really good in terms of wanting to work, wanting to move on and push forward, and I can't ask for anything more than the effort and the willingness to be open with ideas. For me, it's been good. I work in a collaborative way, and I think one of the things I want to make sure is that there's buy-in, so it's important to engage the players. There are conversations with players off the field, making sure that there's understanding in what we're trying to accomplish, and that's been great. [The focus is] to get the best position in the playoffs and that means securing homefield advantage, so the highest possible [position] that we can finish. That's the mindset of the players and the staff.”
On returning to Gillette Stadium for a ‘must-win’ game and the lessons learned from the 2-2 draw with Chicago:
“I don't think there has been a game in the last six weeks that we didn't think we needed three points but we are at home. We've been very good at home and we want to continue to be very good at home, so our goal – as it is in every game – is to get three points. In particular, we think it's important to do well at home. In this league, road points are difficult, so that's our objective.
“Really, it's getting comfortable with how we're trying to do things, and getting a little bit better obviously with the final product in front of the goal, and being a little bit better in some transition moments. Chicago, the first game this season was 3-3, so teams go up and down with scoring. Could we be better? Absolutely. That's an area that we want to address to try to make better. There are simple solutions, but absolutely we want to be better as we move forward.”
On the team’s tactical shift utilizing inverted full backs and how Matt Polster fared in the left back role:
“It's similar to what we were doing at Revs II. In the system, it's not necessarily that it has to be exactly the same but the ideas that we're trying to get across: with connectivity within our group, numbers centrally, and guys in wide areas to stretch opponents.
“Part of that role is for [Polster] to be in a position where he is most comfortable but it allows us to have others on the field as well and to be successful. The players are more comfortable now than they were last week, and we'll continue to build as they continue to work through some of the nuances of what we're trying to accomplish.”
On new goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík:
“We brought him here because we do believe that he can be a difference-maker. His experience is obviously at the highest level and so right now, it's about still making sure that when we roll him out, he's fully prepared, fully fit and ready to go. We're still working through those things with him, and we should hope to see him soon.”
On managing two games in quick succession with next Wednesday’s visit of Columbus:
“First, the health of the team – where we are after the first game and what does that mean for game two, and also whether it makes sense that we need to make changes, or if we think we can keep things the same. At the end of the day, the idea of having some player rotation is a possibility but we want to get through game one before we make any determinations there.”
Revolution midfielder Matt Polster on the draw with Chicago:
“We're a little frustrated. We've had a bad stretch of games, and we're not finding ways to win, which is what we've done in the past. Winning cures all at times, so it's frustrating, but we went in with the right mentality. We tried something a little different, I thought there were a lot of good things and a couple of bad things. You expect that with new ideas, a new formation, and different rotations within the team. Obviously, there was a moment where we switched off – me personally and a few others – but that's part of it. You know you have to be engaged in the entire game for a full 90 minutes to win games in this league and we need to get back to that. We've been a little lax the last couple of games and that's why we haven't gotten the results we want, which is just winning.”
On working under Clint Peay:
“Everything's going well. I'm familiar with him a little bit. I trained with him down with Revs II when I first got here [in 2020]. I like his sessions. The training sessions are really good, demanding, competitive, and it's been good. The guys have been very receptive to what he's asked and tried to replicate or do whatever he wants on the field. We did really well in moments in Chicago, but at the end of the day for me, we're all judged on winning, so we need to get back to that.”
On playing in multiple positions, including left back last time out in Chicago:
“I'm willing to do whatever is asked. Obviously, I feel like my most influential position is midfield where I can control most of the game, how we're playing, and the speed of it – but I'll do whatever the team needs. First and foremost, I only want to win, so whatever that takes, I'm willing to do.”
On the team’s return to Gillette Stadium:
“It's where we've gotten our most wins, so that's what we're looking to do against Charlotte. We've tried to win on the road and we haven't, so now we need to get all our games at home and win those. With the schedule as well, those are all playoff teams, so if you can string some wins together at home and away, it will give us a lot of confidence going into playoffs.”
On whether the team can contend for a championship:
“Yeah, I believe so. We still have the same guys. Obviously, we've been hit with injuries here and there and that kind of takes away from a little bit of the confidence, but guys have stepped up and made impacts. The bare minimum at this club is to make playoffs, first and foremost. From there, the next thing is to get as high as possible in the table. We were sitting in second, we had a bad stretch of games where we weren't picking up the most points, and now we need to get back to where we were at the beginning of the year, which was picking up two points per game. We need to get back to winning and we'll climb up the table. I'm sure of it because everything's tight right now. Again, it comes down to winning. That's what we're all judged on and that's the most important thing, so we're going into Charlotte with that mentality to get three points.”
Revolution midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye on the team’s tactical shift under Clint Peay:
“Clint spoke to us as a group to say that there were some new ideas that they wanted to implement – the coaching staff – and everyone was on board with it. Our game against Chicago was the first time really putting it into action other than on the training field. We feel pretty confident. It allows us to keep the ball in possession and to get numbers in good spots. Anyone who's like-minded, like me – who wants to play attacking football, wants to have possession of the ball – would be really excited at seeing this formation set out. It’s going to take a little bit of time. The communication is important – there's obviously some key moments that we have to be really dialed into on transition – but overall, the guys are enjoying it, and you can see it in training: guys are excited to keep going and working at it.
“The way you limit defensive transitions is being good in possession of the ball, right? This system is set up to make sure we are good with possession, so it's like a double-edged sword. We've definitely experienced it in training, we've experienced it in games. It's just a learning curve right now on how we need to set ourselves up accordingly to be in good defensive positions while we attack. Teams at the highest level play like this, and I would like to think we could play like it too. We know it's definitely something we need to show up on and in training this week, we have, so I'm confident going into this game we will be better at it than everyone saw in Chicago.”
On how the team need to improve heading into playoffs:
“The biggest thing is just to not get down on ourselves right now. It's obviously been a tough spell in terms of the fine line between winning games and tying games or even losing games. For us, it's just continuing to do what we do well, and obviously, defensively, we want to be able to get clean sheets. If you can get clean sheets, you have a better chance of getting points. Every game has posed a different challenge for us, and I hope that with this new system, it will be able to really bring out the best of the team, bring out the best of the guys in certain positions, attacking positions.
“We’ve just got to continue to create more goals, be more decisive in the final third. I think we do a good job building up but everyone on the team would agree that we can be more clinical in those moments in finding the right paths and creating better chances to score goals. There are small things that need to be fine-tuned, but at the end of the day, the margin is so small. It's not like we've been playing terrible, but we do need to continue to raise the standards so that we can go out and win three points comfortably, and that will get you going into the playoffs if you can do that.”
On the importance of returning to winning ways as soon as possible:
“We want to win every game. You have to win every game. Obviously, some games have more things on the line – if you're in a cup final, it's going to feel different when you lose that game compared to the third game of the season – but for us, our mentality is: we want to win every game. It’s definitely important to go out and have a good performance and get the result we want at home because we owe it to our fans for them coming out and supporting us. The atmosphere is great, so that gives us a boost. It's always a challenge when you go to away stadiums to find that twelfth man but when we're at home, it's going to be great. Every game at this point is a must-win. We go out there to get three points every day and that's the goal.”
On the team’s unbeaten home record in 2023:
“It's a good feeling, and it's a challenge every day to continue to make sure that we keep our standards high, to keep that record intact. When you're the only team, there's always a chance of joining everyone else and not winning every game at home or tying games at home, and you don't want to lose the game at home. It's definitely not something we think about too much. We're proud of it but we have to see it out for the rest of the season. We still have some home games, so I'd like to talk about that stat at the end of the year.”
On the quality of the New England goalkeepers Tomáš Vaclík and Earl Edwards Jr.:
“Tomáš is a good goalie. You can definitely see his experience. The way he carries himself definitely fits in very easily with our group. For sure, he can make an impact but I think we also need to be giving a lot of credit to Earl for what he's been able to do, making that seamless transition into the number one position now that that we lost a big, big part of the club [in Djordje Petrović]. I want to talk about the players that are here so for Earl, he's done a great job. It's a full team effort to get a clean sheet, and there's certain plays that I think we can do a better job [on]. Earl has done a good enough job to make some big saves and I'm going to put the ownership on the 10 outfield players to do a better shot to get clean sheets.”
Revolution winger Tomás Chancalay on his first month with the club:
“I feel good. I’m comfortable, I’m happy. I intend to do my best to help the team. I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing in these [recent] games. I’m getting myself accustomed to the league and the team more and more. I’m just hoping to see the results we’ve had in the past. We need to improve our ways to win the next few games, which we need to win to improve our seeding. We need to finish with good results to improve our chances at winnings things. We haven’t been able to finish [games] but I think we need keep working. There have been a lot of changes but surely, we’ll adjust.”
