New England’s defense proving “tough to break down" through strong run of form

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With three shutouts in eight games to start the 2021 campaign, the New England Revolution have impressed with their defensive resolve en route to their East-leading 5-1-2 record.

Two of New England’s clean sheets have come within the last three matches, enriching the caliber of the team’s three-game winning streak against defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew SC, longtime rivals the New York Red Bulls, and FC Cincinnati.

The team’s third shutout of the year against FCC gives New England a run of 272 minutes without conceding a goal from open play. To sweeten the streak, the Revs have only conceded one goal during that run of three straight wins.

Near post, got it on 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Z3R8hcnugp
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) June 2, 2021

“I think you look to last year as well and we were pretty defensively resilient for most of the year,” said goalkeeper Matt Turner. “Our big Achilles heel was defending set pieces. We’ve shown a little bit of that this year where we haven’t been too, too convincing on set pieces at times.

“However, we have the same people that were here last year – a very similar back four, and guys rotating in and doing a great job so we understand what it takes to be successful in this league and be tough to break down through the run of play.

“I think that’s a great characteristic from our team last year that we brought to this year. We’re just going to continue to ride that wave.”

New England has also featured lineup rotation through the start of the season, most notably in the midfield and along the backline, featuring both seasoned veterans and rookies stepping up whenever their names are called.

“We did a good job those first eight games relying on our depth a little bit and seeing what guys can do in certain spots,” said Turner.

“Our team is extremely competitive,” said Matt Polster. “Whoever has stepped in has done a really good job helping us win games and keeping clean sheets.

“We need more of that come the next stretch of games, especially with three games in nine days.”

The Revs will put their defensive resolve to the test as they defend their place at No. 1 in the East on June 19, when they square off at New York City FC at 7:30 p.m. ET.