NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The New England Revolution secured a valuable point in the 2025 season opener on Saturday night at chilly GEODIS Park, grinding out a 0-0 draw with Nashville SC. Backstopping the clean sheet for New England was goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, who made three key saves to keep the Blue and Gold off the scoresheet.
“I think the guys executed pretty well, especially defensively” said Ivačič. “We had kind of mixed feelings after the game. It’s good we had a clean sheet and a great defensive performance, but obviously we want to win every game.”
The Revs have a newfound mentality this season, not satisfied with anything less than a win. “If you can’t win, then you don’t lose. Especially on the road,” explained head coach Caleb Porter. “We’ll take it, but I love that this group wants to win every game they play and they’re disappointed they didn’t get to win."
Starting the season on the road is never easy, especially with a roster as fresh as New England’s, with several players making their MLS debuts in Nashville. Last season the Revs registered just two shutouts on the road as they conceded 74 goals all told, so this result starts them off on the right foot.
The Revolution defense featured three players not only making their debuts with the team, but in the league. Center backs Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos took the pitch after training together for just a few weeks. They were joined on the backline by MLS newcomer Ilay Feingold, a natural right back who filled in on the left side because of injuries, while veteran Brandon Bye was the loan returnee at right back.
“Defensively I think we did very good. The guys, not only the back four, but the whole team is defending, when we defend, we defend as a team,” Ivačič explained. “But in the end the last four guys they were just amazing and our two center backs I think are awesome, without and with the ball.”
Saturday’s match was the first of many in 2025 and looking back at last year’s season, the result of this opener holds a bit more promise compared to last. With mixed emotions for the draw, New England will take the point and look forward to their next match.
“We’re back at home for two and we go for the three points next week and we’re off to a good start the first two games if we do that,” said Porter.
The Revolution will look to keep up the defensive performance next Saturday night when they host the Columbus Crew in the home opener at Gillette Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET).
