FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Mid-May is typically a bit early to be talking about “must-win” games in Major League Soccer, but it’s a phrase being bandied about in Foxborough as the New England Revolution prepare to begin a critical three-game homestand on Saturday night.
With just one win from their first 11 games (1-3-7) the Revs need points urgently, and they have the perfect opportunity to reverse their fortunes in the coming weeks as they’ll welcome the Chicago Fire, FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders FC to Gillette Stadium on consecutive weekends.
By the end of this stretch the Revs will be nearing the midway point of the 2016 season, and while no team has separated itself from the pack in the crowded Eastern Conference as of yet, these three games could go a long way in determining where New England stand heading into the summer months.
“I think it’s a do-or-die kind of thing,” said center back Andrew Farrell. “Obviously we take it one game at a time, one play at a time, but we’ve got to get points here at home.”
Getting points at home is something the Revolution have done through the early part of the season; but they’ve struggled to take maximum points. The Revs are unbeaten at Gillette Stadium, but they’ve drawn four of their five home games, with three of those draws coming against conference foes.
Last year the Revs were a force at home, going 9-2-6 and allowing just 12 goals in 17 games. They’ll need to rekindle that form – and that spirit – if they’re to turn things around these next three weeks.
“I feel like we have the mentality that no one wants to come and play against us, but we’ve let some teams off the hook here,” Jay Heaps said. “We’ve been a little bit unlucky with calls against us at home and not finishing off [games], but our mentality is to be strong at home and to continue that mentality.”
Following this trio of home games the Revs will take a three-week break from league play during Copa America, so not only would a string of wins give the Revolution the points they need, but it would also provide an emotional boost heading into a lengthy hiatus.
“If we win these three games, we’ll be all the way back in the mix,” said Je-Vaughn Watson.
“Obviously we take Chicago first,” Farrell said. “But it would be good to go into the break with nine points at home.”
