How tight is the MLS Eastern Conference playoff race?
The New England Revolution (8-16-4, 28 points) sit in 15th and last place in the conference, yet are just five points out of the ninth and final playoff spot entering Saturday’s match at seventh-place Charlotte FC (10-11-8, 38 points).
“For sure, it’s a must-win game,” Revs coach Caleb Porter told 98.5 The Sports Hub. “Every game, from here on out, if we want to have a shot, the margins are very slim. I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys are made of, honestly. You find out the type of guys you have when your backs are against the wall.”
The Revolution are 0-2-2 over their past four matches. That includes a 3-0 loss at Orlando City last weekend and a 2-2 draw Wednesday against visiting CF Montreal.
New England’s Bobby Wood and Esmir Bajraktarevic scored first-half goals to give the Revs a 2-0 lead over Montreal, but they conceded twice in the second half.
“I always say it: It is going to come down to the team that executes, the players that perform on the day, and the balance of the attacking and defending,” Porter said of Saturday’s match. “In our case, it is going to come down to a complete 90-plus minute performance with a strong mentality whether we are up, even, or down.”
Charlotte has matched a franchise record with three consecutive losses. It dropped a 2-1 decision at Montreal last weekend and suffered a 2-0 defeat at Orlando City SC on Wednesday.
“We’re having to work really hard to stay in the game because we’re not creating enough big chances, not scoring enough goals, full stop,” Charlotte coach Dean Smith said. “… We don’t create big enough chances. We’re not as positive as I would like to see us in 1-v-1 situations, the quality of our balls into the box haven’t been as good as they should.”
New England and Charlotte met once previously this season, with the Revs winning 1-0 at home on April 6 as Carles Gil scored the lone goal in first-half stoppage time. Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas made two saves for the shutout.
–Field Level Media
