Revolution begin Porter era with victory
New England first-year coach Caleb Porter introduced his new-look Revolution on an international stage.
Striker Tomas Chancalay scored in the 54th minute and the Revolution held on to secure a 1-0 victory over CA Independiente on Wednesday night in leg one of the Concacaf Champions Cup at Estadio Universitario FC Stadium in Llano Marin, Panama. Goalkeeper Henrich Ravas recorded a clean sheet in his Revolution debut.
The Revolution begin MLS play on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at D.C. United and will engage CA Independiente in the second leg of the home and homes series on Feb. 29 at Gillette Stadium.
“It’s a quick turnaround and the teams in the Champions Cup all have a similar turnaround,” said Porter. “We will file this game away and focus immediately in our preparation and recovery for D.C. and we have to throw ourselves into this first league game.”
The Revolution made their fifth appearance in the Concacaf Champions Cup after qualifying for the North American tournament with a sixth-place finish in the 2023 MLS regular season.
Porter employed several of last season’s regulars in his starting lineup, including captain Carles Gil, Matt Polster, Andrew Farrell, DeJuan Jones, Giacomo Vrioni and Chancalay. The key newcomers were Ravas and right back Nick Lima, who is holding down the position for the injured Brandon Bye.
“Ravas didn’t have a ton to do but there were crosses and counter shots from distances and he held everything in the few chances they did and looked comfortable and confident for a new signing,” said Porter. “Nick Lima put in a really good shift at right back and he’s a very solid balanced player.”
The Revs had a near miss in the ninth minute when Nacho Gil’s header dinged off the crossbar.
Nacho Gil misfired on a set up by Carles Gil in the 20th minute. Vrioni picked up the Revolution’s first yellow card in the 28th minute. Defender Mark-Anthony Kaye’s header off a corner kick from Carles Gil sailed wide the far post by inches in the 44th minute. The Revolution had seven shots and two shots on goal but the half ended in a scoreless tie.
The second half took on a more acrimonious tone with three yellow cards issued in the first eight minute. Chancalay picked up a yellow card in the 53rd minute and broke the deadlock in the 54th. Vrioni redirected a long feed with a header across the box to Chancalay, who applied the right boot to bounce shot off the turf that beat Independiente keeper Eddie Roberts to make it 1-0.
“Chancalay has goals in him,” said Porter. “He is very direct and he is always looking to shoot and he has a quality around goal so it was great to see him get his first of the season.”
Porter made his first substitutes in the 63rd minute, replacing Kaye and Nacho Gil with homegrowns Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarevic. Bobby Wood and Emmanuel Boateng replaced Chancalay and Vrioni in the 76th minute.