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FOXBOROUGH, MA– Entering the 2025 season, New England Revolution fans were excited that Major League Soccer had returned, however, 4 games into the season, the fans are now swiftly asking questions on what changes need to be made.
New England Revolution fans hold up scarves prior to an MLS Match. (c) Burt Granofsky / Prost International
On December 19th, 2023, the New England Revolution had announced the hiring of Caleb Porter as their head coach, making him the ninth head coach in club history. Porter, a two-time MLS Cup Winner with nine seasons of managerial experience, had the difficult task of “replacing” Bruce Arena, the winningest coach in Major League Soccer history, who resigned in September of 2024.
In his first season with the club, everything did not go as planned.
In MLS play, the club went 9W-4D-21L with 37 goals for and 74 goals against. The club finished 14th in the MLS Eastern Conference and had -37 goal differential (league worst).
In Conference Champions Cup play, the club went 3W-1D-2L with 11 goals for and 10 goals against. They were eliminated in the Quarterfinals.
In Leagues Cup, the club went 1W-2D-0L (1 draw as a penalty shootout WIN, 1 draw was a penalty shootout LOSS) with 3 goals for and 2 against. They were eliminated in the Round of 32.
With a horrific run of form & the clubs future in mind, many began to question whether or not the 11-year MLS coach should continue in New England after imposing a 14W-5D-24L record in his first season with the club.
One fan I spoke with, Luke, 27, from Plainville, MA stated, “Knowing the statistics, this club has never performed worse. Under Porter we are a joke, a 9-26-6 team with 37 goals scored in 41 games. He has done nothing to earn the respect or cheer of the New England faithful.”
Entering the 2025 season, New England stuck with Porter & allowed him to make changes to the squad.
A New England Revolution fan reacts during an MLS match. (c) Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
From early November of 2024 to early February of 2025, the club saw 18 players exit the club [11 via Free Agency, 6 via trade, 1 via transfer] & 14 new players join the club [7 via Free Agency, 3 via Transfer Market, 2 via New England Revolution II, 1 via Loan & 1 via Trade].
Included in the offseason, New England also made a handful of staff changes. Most notably, they acquired Marc Ortí Esteban, a set piece coach, who has prior experience with English Premier League club Brentford FC as well as previous experience FC Midtjylland, FC Barcelona, and E.F. Gavà. New England also acquired Marco Canolintas as Sports Performance Scientist/Analyst, who has prior experience with Italian Serie A clubs Parma, Napoli, and Frosinone as well as EPL side Liverpool FC.
Through 6 matches in Sarasota, Florida, the club had a successful preseason where they to finish preseason finished with a 4W-1D-1L record with 8 goals for and 5 goals against.
Entering the 2025 season, excitement was at an all-time high, however, the results so far have not gone New England’s way.
February 29, 2024; Monty Rodriguez is all smiles during a CONCACAF Champions Cup game between the New England Revolution and C.A. Independiente at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts . (c) Burt Granofsky/Prost Amerika
Through 4-matches this season, New England has gone 0W-1D-3L with 1 goal for & 6 goals against. Those matches included Nashville SC (13th in 2024), Columbus Crew (2nd in 2024), Philadelphia Union (12th in 2024), & New York City FC (6th in 2024). Though 360 minutes of league play, New England has not had a player from their team score a goal.
Speaking with some fans, many of their current frustrations with the club dated back to before Porter even joined the club.
Jake, 23, from Concord, NH stated, “I started following the Revs in 2023 when Bruce Arena was still coach. Ever since Bruce was fired the team has been terrible. I’ve watched every game this season and they look incapable of scoring.”
Note* – Bruce Arena resigned in September of 2024, he was not fired by New England.
Josh, 34, from Waltham, MA stated, “I started following the revs in May of 2019, when Bruce Arena was hired. I thought it was a new start to the club. It seems now the rot is deeper than simply the sporting direction.”
Mike, 36, from Portland, ME stated, “Been a season ticket holder with my dad for almost 20 years now. It’s been one of those things that, no matter how the team does, is an amazing experience to have with him. We constantly talk about how this feels like the “worst” it’s even been. Everyone wants this team and the players to be successful. It just feels like there is a genuine lack of care from the FO. Like “ehhh, the fans will get over it. Driving 2+ hours to games is much better when we don’t fully expect to lose. It’s just a bummer for a franchise that has had so many glimpses of greatness.”.
Daniel, 24, from Poughkeepsie, NY stated, “I’ve moved around my whole life and the only constant was/is the New England Revolution. I feel a deep connection to the community and my place in the club. The Revs (unwontedly) are the lifeblood of my emotions, and my emotions have taken a toll these past few years.”
One fan, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “We still don’t know why Bruce was sent away or what Richie said. Tough pill to swallow when you See San Jose towards the top of their table with half our old team.”
With many of these thoughts in mind, many have also began to question whether or not Head Coach Caleb Porter is the right man to continue coaching the club & question whether Sporting Director Curt Onalfo is able to lead the club into the right direction.
Head Coach Caleb Porter & Sporting Director Curt Onalfo pose for a photo.
TC, 43, from Lincoln, MA stated, “I know Porter has had success before, but my biggest frustration is I don’t see any real sign of a technical system that generates opportunities in buildup. Most MLS teams are built to handle direct. It sometimes feels like I’m watching like U-13 team play. That was abundant with the Arena teams. Also feel like we’ve gotten the scouting wrong 3 years in a row and it’s time for Onalfo & Co. to go.”
Taylor, 31, from Boston, MA stated, “Big picture however, I’m worried the team is built around an outdated version of MLS. Since he started coaching in MLS 12 years ago, Porter’s game has remained the same, and his success rate is steadily dropping with every club he coaches. In a league era where other teams are trotting out great players new and old (like Lionel Messi, Riqui Puig, and Cavan Sullivan), Porter’s slow defense and uninspiring rosters (Will Sands, Maxi Urruti, Jackson Yueill) are fit for 2015 MLS, not 2025. ”
RC, 52, from Taunton, MA stated, “I am a ‘96er. This team ranks with the absolute most hopeless boring teams I have witnessed during the 30 years I’ve been around. I have no confidence in this coaching staff and am saddened by the lack of money they threw at the forward position. I know Leo Campana was a good get but obviously that wasn’t enough since he’s already hurt. I am also mystified by the signing of all these journeyman types but we either leave the young guys we developed on the bench or get rid of them. I don’t get any of this.”
While the season for New England has started poorly, some have noted that Sporting Director Curt Onalfo has done well this offseason & noted that Head Coach Caleb Porter still needs time in order to find success within this group.
A New England Revolution fan reacts during an MLS match. (c) Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
Emily, 23, from Boston stated, “This is a beyond frustrating time for all of us as Revs fans, and I’m absolutely miserable with the state of the team right now, but I also think this is a situation that requires patience from us as fans. People are pointing to Porter’s record last year, and while I don’t disagree with the evidence there that he’s been able to build the team as he wants, we need to let them gel and see this out for a bit longer. Otherwise, we’ll just end up back at square one.
Derek, 40, from Windham, ME stated, “The team has some very skilled players and the commitment shown by the front office to go acquire a talented roster was invigorating. The lack of chemistry up front can be explained by such a massive roster turnover, but should it continue into the summer months I will become far more concerned about the coaching than I am currently.”
Some however have lost all hope entirely & have requested that the club goes through an entire revamp.
A New England Revolution fan reacts during an MLS match. (c) Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
Heather, 55, from Portsmouth, RI stated, “Was a fun when the club first started, and I still lived in Boston. I fell out of following them till I met my husband, and he really loves them. We have gone to games here and even traveled to DC to watch them. We do pay for apple so we can watch them, but we also like to watch a lot of shows, so it’s not our only reason for our subscription. –We don’t really have any hope for them right now. A total revamp is needed, but I don’t think Kraft cares enough to do anything more than not cost him money.”
Kane, 39, from Portland, OR stated, “Still following the REVS since the inaugural season when I lived in New England, and now from across the country. The Arena era was a breath of fresh air after years of frustration. Of course, I want Porter and this team to succeed. I’m glad ownership has invested in the roster and the facilities to help make that happen, but at this point, I’m losing hope. Our system of play is boring and has proved to be ineffective. Midway through last season, there was a noticeable shift toward a fast counter and a more fluid style of play. They players looked excited and happy. Even Porter talked about how it was something they were working with. They started winning games and were fun and exciting to watch. Then they shifted back to this “Porter-ball” nonsense, and we’ve all seen what’s happened. The players don’t look happy, their individual skill sets are not being used, and it’s like they know their effort in this system won’t yield results. It’s not fun to watch, and i can’t imagine what it’s like to be out there playing. Oh, and get a grass field. That should be a top priority.”
New England Revolution fans pose for a photo prior to an MLS Match. (c) Adrian Heinsohn-Roe
New England have started the first 4 matches of the season without a goal scored by a player from their team. Their goal-less drought lasted 352 minutes, dating back to last year.
The team has 1 goal scored this year, which was in last weekend’s 2-1 result versus NYCFC (Thiago Martins Own Goal).
The New England Revolution (0-1-3, 1 pts.) return home to face off against Eastern Conference side New York Red Bulls (1-2-1, 5 pts). The match is set to kickoff at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 29th at 2:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
