3 takeaways from the Revolution’s loss vs. FC Cincinnati

New England Revolution

New England hit the post twice, but couldn’t find an equalizer after falling behind in the second half.

By Hayden Bird

April 6, 2025 | 9:07 AM

3 minutes to read

The Revolution fell 1-0 on the road to FC Cincinnati amid slippery, rainswept conditions on Saturday night.

A Sergio Santos tap-in goal in the 65th proved to be the difference. It was a frustrating game for New England, especially after the visitors hit the post twice in the first half but failed to find the net.

The loss keeps the Revolution (1-4-1) near the basement of the Eastern Conference, just two points above Toronto and Montreal (both tied for last).

Here are a few takeaways:

The defensive press had its moments in the first half.

The first half was a perfectly reasonable performance from New England, especially playing on the road in Cincinnati (one of the more difficult places to win over the last few seasons, though Caleb Porter’s team did manage three points at TQL Stadium in 2024).

While Cincinnati was missing several starters, credit must be paid to the Revolution press for creating several problems for the home team over the first 45 minutes.

Luca Langoni, Matt Polster, Carles Gil, and even Maxi Urruti (filling in once again at center forward for the injured Leo Campana) managed to contribute in forcing first half Cincinnati turnovers.

Langoni’s hustle and defensive work rate even resulted in getting a foot on Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano’s slow-developing clearance in the 23rd minute. On the ensuing corner kick, New England center back Brayan Ceballos rattled the post with a header, nearly putting the Revolution into an early lead.

Less than 10 minutes later, winger Ignatius Ganago’s deflected shot squirmed through Celentano’s gloves (rainy conditions playing a role) and kissed the other goal post before bouncing clear. The sequence resulted from a consistent press, with Polster in particular fighting to keep his team on the front-foot, recovering possession on multiple occasions.

By halftime, Porter would’ve probably been relatively pleased with New England’s display. Yet it remained 0-0, and the Revolution wave crested.

Once again, there was a second half drop-off.

As has been a familiar sight during the Porter era, New England was unable to continue its first half momentum over the final 45 minutes.

Cincinnati correspondingly grew into the game, playing its best soccer in the second half. Santos’s goal, assisted by a well-placed cross from center midfielder Pavel Bucha, came after a sustained level of pressure as the visitors dropped deeper and deeper defensively.

The Revolution’s inability to remain on the front-foot has always been somewhat explainable by the notion that no team can simply press for 90 minutes. Yet the consistency with which New England looks significantly less threatening — or even defensively solid — in the second half of so many games continues to be a worrying trend.

Where are the goals coming from?

Because the Revolution were shut out for the fourth time in six games, it means the wait goes on for a 2025 goal scored in open play by a New England player (as the score vs. New York City FC on March 15 was an own-goal).

And yet again, the Revolution attack failed to generate significant opportunities. Comparing expected goals (xG) from open play, Cincinnati far exceeded New England (1.83 vs. 0.26).

Urruti was never meant to be a starter for Porter’s team in 2025, and his inability to get involved (he had just 12 touches before being subbed in the 55th minute) was not for lack of hustle. His defensive work rate, for example, was notably impressive for a 34-year-old.

Considering that goals weren’t exactly free-flowing when Leo Campana was still in the lineup, it feels like Urruti’s lack of involvement is more of a symptom of the problem, rather than the problem itself.

Porter will need much, much more from Ganago and Langoni as both creators and goal-scorers if New England is going to be consistently successful. Gil has already shown he can carry the team, but no player can do it every game. He’s going to need some help. The question remains where exactly that help will come from.