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Sounders FC - New England Revolution preview
65 Plays5 months ago
The New England Revolution got off to one of the worst starts in MLS history, but have since improved dramatically with five wins in their past six matches. To help us understand what is going on with Caleb Porter’s new team, we enlisted the help of Sam Minton, who runs The Blazing Musket.
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Transcript
Introduction by Christian Roldan and Jordan Morris
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey, this is Christian Roldan. And Jordan Morris from the Seattle Sounders Football Club. And you're listening to NOS Arietes. This episode of NOS Arietes is sponsored by Full Pull Wines, a Seattle-based wine retailer and proud sponsor of NOS Arietes since 2011. Full Pull was founded in 2009, is based in Seattle, and is owned and operated by longtime Sounders supporters. They offer the best boutique wines of the world to members of their mailing list, with special focus on their home, the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Sounders Highlights
00:00:28
Speaker
A.O. Shen! Let's go! What a save by Fry! The Seattle Sounders have done it! MLS Cup win! Here come three years through the middle to crown it the vehicle! And now they truly can't stop the celebrations. It's the Sounders' MLS Cup! Niko Liddo leaves out!
00:01:12
Speaker
Is that what you young people call twerking?
Jeremiah O'Shan Interviews Sam Minton from Blazing Musket
00:01:28
Speaker
Welcome back to another episode of Nos Adiates. I am Jeremiah O'Shan. Joining me today is Sam Minton of the Blazing Musket, which covers the New England Revolution.
00:01:43
Speaker
descended from the Bent Musket, which you may remember from its SB Nation days. Welcome to the show, Sam. Thank you so much for having me, Jeremiah. It's an honor. Obviously, you always get to catch up with the former SB Nation colleague and big boss. But excited for this matchup, man. We don't get these Western Conference matchups, especially, you know, the Seattles and the Portlands as much as we're used to here in New England. So excited to see it coming. Man, I'm racking my brain.
00:02:11
Speaker
What was it, like 2015, the last time the Revs were in Seattle? It's been a long time, right? Yeah, especially a regular season game. I think there might've been like a preseason game in the mix there earlier, because for some reason I'm remembering Bruce possibly being there, but I also could be misremembering that with all the nonsense that was. Yeah, I know that Sounders have been to New England since then, but the game that is in my mind is...
00:02:40
Speaker
when Dempsey walked that shot into the goal. It was a really nice exchange between him, Oba, and Marco Papa. And Dempsey basically walked a shot into the goal. But I wish I think, I'm pretty sure it was 2015. But anyway, thank you, Sam, for joining me. Let's just jump right into it.
Caleb Porter's Impact on New England Revolution
00:03:03
Speaker
Let's start with every Sounders fan's favorite subject.
00:03:07
Speaker
and that is Caleb Porter. What's it been like? What's the Caleb Porter? You've had you've already had some fun exchanges with Caleb this year. Yeah, I mean, yeah, very fun exchanges. I dared asked about Dave Romney and got a not so nice response back and
00:03:24
Speaker
I wondered if my questions were directly from the fans and Twitter. Very fun time, but Dave Romney, shout out to him, getting a runner start lately. Had to get rotated out recently against in the midweek match, but wouldn't be surprised if he gets back in the starting lineup, but it's been interesting. You know, Caleb definitely has a
00:03:43
Speaker
Much, I would say much different philosophy in terms of soccer when it comes to Bruce Arena with Bruce, it was very three flowing and just kind of, you know, go do stuff as he was known to say. But with Caleb, you know, there's a structure he wants to kind of build out the back possession heavy game.
00:04:02
Speaker
And he has a style of play. He wants his players to play. And it seemed like it took the revolution a lot of time to adjust that style of play. It was, again, much different. But now they seem to really be rolling. They're on a hot streak. They have quite a hole to dig themselves out of. I think they've won the last five of six, and they're still not in a playoff position. So it's going to be interesting to see how they go against Seattle. Obviously, there's going to be the Caleb Porter aspect, the Ariaga aspect.
00:04:28
Speaker
But expecting a good match, even though they're playing their third game in seven days.
00:04:34
Speaker
Yeah. So Caleb Porter, if the funniest thing about that hire to me was I always sort of saw him and Bruce as being almost direct rivals. Like they didn't seem to like each other. They didn't seem to, or at least Bruce didn't seem to like Caleb. I don't know. Caleb, uh, maybe like Bruce Moore. I don't, I don't know without getting it all into that. But what, what do you, what, from your perspective, what was the philosophy behind hiring Caleb?
Caleb Porter's Hiring Strategy and Expectations
00:05:03
Speaker
Yeah, I think for sure it was the fact that he has won MLS cups, you know, with the crew and with the timbers and that this roster, especially at the beginning of the season, the expectation was could possibly contend for an MLS cup. You have Carlos heel, not getting any younger. And, you know, you were able to bring in some exciting VPs in the light of Thomas Chancolai. Obviously, Giacomo Veroni has exactly panned out.
00:05:27
Speaker
But overall, looking at the roster, a lot of similarities from that 2023 season when the Rebs, before the whole entire Bruce Arena saga, where I believe second place in the Eastern Conference, and then the rest is history as we now know it. So it really seemed like he was brought in to be a contender, someone who can bring this team to that promised land of winning an MLS Cup, which for the revolution is a long time coming. And it seems like the expectations have changed drastically
00:05:56
Speaker
With the start and you know, tails made some comments that. You know, at the beginning when he's brought in, you know the roster was a main reason that I came here, but now you know it's we have to make some changes. We need to bring in some pieces because we're missing some players who can have that quality and you know, make you an MLS Cup contender. So I really think he was brought in to be a contender and if you're just looking at that in a vacuum. So far this season has been a failure.
00:06:21
Speaker
Yeah, so you go back to 2021, New England Revolution set the record for points in a season, set back in 2022, presumably just mainly for injuries, but they were rolling in 2023 before the whole Bruce Arena saga sort of hit the fan. Has the organization recovered from that
The Bruce Arena Saga and Its Impact
00:06:43
Speaker
yet? Is that now something that feels safely in the rear-view mirror?
00:06:48
Speaker
I would definitely say it's in the rearview mirror, but I do think it does pop up in a sense. I remember when that Kickin' It interview came out with Bruce Arena, that was all Revolution fans were talking about. I think even a lot of people are like, oh, we're probably not going to hear about this. You get a little bit, but I think there's still that wanting to know.
00:07:12
Speaker
Everyone, until it comes out, will want to know what happened. Bruce is obviously a big figure in the US soccer landscape. So as much as it is in every mirror, everyone wants to kind of move on. I do think there's an aspect of it. It'll be, what if, if he was still here with a revolution, be a contender, be performing better.
00:07:32
Speaker
And just wanting to know just the whole drama behind it. I mean, even outside of the sports landscape, if you're just a fan of drama and, you know, you know, the scandal, you want to know what happens. So as much as, you know, definitely the organization will want it to be gone in the rear view mirror in the past. I think it's going to be staying there for a bit longer, especially if we get the Bruce Arena tell all book one day.
00:07:57
Speaker
Yeah, so the just to remind people that at the time sort of the the story was the players didn't even really understand why Bruce had been moved along essentially. Has that have you gotten a sense of whether or not the players have ever been filled in or is that part of why the story still hasn't come out is that no one who
00:08:21
Speaker
If it's not Bruce, if it's not the handful of front office staff, then just no one really knows the story at this point.
00:08:29
Speaker
Yeah, I would say it probably still seems like no one really knows. I think, you know, especially when Bruce really kind of alluded to it that, you know, when he's legally allowed to speak about it, he will speak about it. It just doesn't seem like it, especially, you know, at the end of the season, talking to Omar Gonzalez. It was seven minutes of great audio, this kind of detail and everything. And it was really eye opening. And you just got the sense that
00:08:56
Speaker
Players still don't know they're still left in the dark, which is again, you know, there's the legality of it. At the end of the day, if you break it down, this is a workplace HR issue. You kind of understand it, but it is quite shocking that, you know, the story hasn't come out and the fact that a lot of players, I would say, still feel left in the dark.
Revolution's Performance Amidst Injuries
00:09:16
Speaker
Well, let's fast forward to this season and it's been a pretty wild year, frankly, at one point pretty, I don't know what, 10, 15 games into the season. I remember Matt Doyle wrote a column about how the revolution are not only on pace to have a bad season by their standard, but at that point they were on pace to have one of the worst seasons in MLS history.
00:09:41
Speaker
almost ever since then they've been on a roll either they they went on I believe a five game winning streak right and then and then they they lost they got kind of their teeth kicked in by the crew but then bounced right back and beat the beat Atlanta United is this team like what what is the real revolution I'm between those two teams which seem diametrically in opposite directions
00:10:05
Speaker
I would probably say somewhere in the middle, as they would always say, is that team because I don't think the revolution in the beginning is actually performing up to their level. I think you have a striker like Giacomo Vrioni who's really been able to come to form as of late. And it's been the big question, you know, should the revolution move off with him? I think, you know, Tom Bogart even alluded to it in his reporting.
00:10:27
Speaker
And he's just someone who has struggled to be consistent and it almost happened against the crew. He really struggled out in front of goal, but he was able to bounce back against Atlanta. You know, obviously strikers can't score in every game. If they could, that would be amazing. And they would be one of the best. But when you have a DP striker, as long as they can be consistent and be a consistent scoring threat.
00:10:48
Speaker
I think the team was going to be able to perform and I think also too, you know, Ariaga has been, I would say, a good inclusion. He's kind of, you know, added some competition. You know, Caleb Porter even alluded to it. He described Henry Kesseler as, you know, seething to get back on the pitch.
00:11:03
Speaker
And it really seems like there's a good competition at center back. You know, Dave Romney, when he was finally able to get called back in, performed really well. I would just say, too, the thing that could, you know, bring this team back down to level is injuries. This team is extremely hurt right now. Carlos Heel looks like he's going to miss the Seattle game.
00:11:23
Speaker
If he was able to miss any significant time, it doesn't seem like that, but if he was, that's a big blow. Someone who is going to miss significant time, Thomas Chancolai. You have guys like Dylan Barreiro and Brandon By, who are still recovering from some serious injuries. They're able to play, but it's a lot to be able to play. 45 minutes earned starts and really come into their own.
00:11:45
Speaker
I would say part of it is finally kind of getting used to Caleb Porter and his system. But part of it is the crucial aspect of, you know, Giacomo Rionni being able to be a consistent scorer. And obviously it is just a few games, but it seems like he has turned a corner. I guess the question, you know, everyone hates it, but you know, time will tell if that's the case.
00:12:05
Speaker
So the other big injury, you alluded to a rather long list of injuries that the revolution are dealing with right now. Two players you didn't, or there was a few players, I guess, that you didn't mention, even with all those players you did list. But the one I think most people are curious about is what's the deal with Carlos Heel as he expected to play this week?
00:12:24
Speaker
Yeah, so it sounded like he's not going to play. I believe he's asked by my colleague, Seth Mccumber. Kayla Porter was after the most recent match and he described him as being doubtful and looking for Carlos to come back next week. You have someone like Ima Botang. Well, it's like he's going to make a few weeks and same with Mark Anthony Kay seems like similar to Carlos looking to get back next week. But his situation seems a little bit better.
00:12:48
Speaker
And then obviously, too, you have some other long-term injuries, a player like Nacho Heal. He's a youngster in Peyton Miller. I don't know if he's picked up a new injury. I think it is because it's a different body part, but he's picked up an injury as well, too. Henry Gravis has returned from Euro's play, but he seems to be the solid number two compared to Anthony here as a starter.
00:13:09
Speaker
The Rebs are really banged up. They're going to have to call upon some interesting names. A Rebs 2 player who could make his MLS debut, Markos Diaz, is an interesting talent. And I'm excited to see him get the call up. But I think the revolution would have lished this in different circumstances.
00:13:25
Speaker
Yeah, so generally speaking, it does seem like the revolution are moving into their next phase of being there was a lot. Has it actually been finalized the new stadium or is that still something that's in the Oh, that is still we are we are a now government political red tape. If I remember correctly, it is in a committee and it has been stuck there for quite some time. Okay.
00:13:50
Speaker
So again, as Revolution fans
New Stadium Plans and Bureaucratic Challenges
00:13:52
Speaker
say, they will not counter chickens before their hats before that shovel hits the dirt. There's progress, but it's still going to be a bit.
00:14:02
Speaker
What is your sense, though, in terms of the way the ownership is treating? This has been one of the big topics of discussion currently in Seattle, where there hasn't been a ton of investment into the roster lately, but it seems like the revolution, even though they have historically not been a high spending team, it does seem like recently there's been some real investment.
00:14:27
Speaker
Yeah, it's quite interesting because I would say definitely the fans, they definitely kind of have a similar aspect to fans in Seattle, where a lot of the conversation is, are you sold? Matt Turner, Tejon Buchanan, Georgia Petrovich. Where has that money been reinvested? You have a striker in Giacomo Rioni. For the large part, a struggle as a VP is coming in the form now, but could you have used that money elsewhere? And the same kind of goes to Thomas Chancolai.
00:14:53
Speaker
I think in the past that might have been a signing, a DP signing that might not have been made, but they have invested in the team. And it seems like the major question came, you know, when Bruce Arena left is, all right, you lose this major face. Now, are they going to continue to invest in the team? And I think they have been able to go and get the moves. Caleb Porter kind of alluded to it. He said that the revs were up against the salary cap and, you know, the first
00:15:19
Speaker
Transfer window and, you know, from the salary data and everything we've gotten with the roster profiles, it definitely seems to be the case. And I think the kind of, uh, we'll find out how the revolution and ownership are going to invest in this upcoming transfer window. Caleb Porter has been vocal that they do need to go out and get some players and they're starting to get some rumors out there in terms of players, um, you know,
00:15:41
Speaker
seems like there's a lot of investment in the Israeli League and you know that there could be some strikers coming uh strikers and midfielders coming over from there the revolution of historically especially recent history with that uh players in South America so I think this summer transfer window will really show the improvement and I think kind of the
00:16:00
Speaker
pushing over the line of the stadium will also prove that because July Stadium is an asset, but I think if this team is going to reach that next step, that next phase, they need to get their own soccer-specific stadium and get away from that turf.
00:16:19
Speaker
Going beyond the Rebs, it's been interesting. Seattle is one of the hosts of the World Cup, so is Boston, New England.
00:16:32
Speaker
What's been the, you know, I've been surprised here at how little we've actually heard about it in the last year or two. What's the situation in New England?
World Cup Preparations for New England and Seattle
00:16:43
Speaker
Yeah, it's kind of interesting. We've basically only really gotten the fact that there's going to, I believe for some portion of the MLS season, the Reds are going to have grass.
00:16:54
Speaker
but besides that in terms of kind of more logistical kind of plant and preparation sides of it There's not really a whole lot I believe there's a report out there in Seattle kind of talking about the pausing of games because usually you would have major sports games caused and
00:17:12
Speaker
Especially here in FIFA, Boston, when it's actually in Foxborough, there's the question of, well, where's it going to be based out of? And who could be affected from that? Obviously, Red Sox, I believe you could have maybe the Celtics involved in it during the planning. But I would say similar to the situation in Seattle, there's really not a lot of information. I think a lot of fans are really concerned about
00:17:34
Speaker
Hey, uh, what's going to be with the playing surface and, you know, can the rest play on grass? Cause especially looking at the amount of ACL injuries and muscle injuries, a seam has had. And with, you know, the complaints about tariff, there's a lot of docs being connected there. And it seems like they would love, uh, you know, people would love to have, have grass come fully as a lot of people would. So again, I would say there's not really a lot of information. And so it's going to be really interesting to see how this all comes together.
00:18:02
Speaker
Yeah, it definitely will. It sounds like you guys are pretty much in the same boat. So finally, the other thing I wanted to just talk to you about real quickly.
Blazing Musket's Independent Journey
00:18:10
Speaker
You guys left, or I don't know, maybe you were, you're kind of the whole, we don't have to get into what happened exactly at Espination, but you guys are now independent. How is that going? Uh, you're on sub stack. I love catching up with folks and, and starting hearing their experiences and, and what, uh, and in informing people how the sort of independent media landscape is shaping up, uh, around MLS.
00:18:32
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, honestly, it's been amazing. Obviously, the support that we got in that really tough moment was great. You know, even people from the revolution reaching out, it's absolutely amazing and just kind of seeing the fan support. There's one story that sticks out. You know, we had people saying that they kind of fell in love with the revs because of the Bent Musket. And we now have a writer who pretty much
00:18:57
Speaker
is ready for us and you know he covers Harford Athletic as well as during his day job work for Rhode Island FC and part of his reason for the love of the game is from the Ben Musket which obviously I kind of came on later but Steve Stower and Seth McCumber and everyone who came before me there just did such an amazing job and you know especially in the likes of Seth continues to do an amazing job. But for us it provided us an opportunity to kind of grow instead of just covering the Revs, Revolution 2,
00:19:26
Speaker
We now pretty much cover soccer in all of New England. We cover Hartford Athletic, Rhode Island FC. We cover the Vermont Green and some other USLE2 Northeast division teams. Obviously there's the Portland Hearts of Pines coming. We are excited to cover them and WSL Boston. So it's really been amazing that the support and just the opportunity to grow. And obviously it's been great to cover the revolution and that's our bread and butter. But to become more than that, come a real home for New England soccer has been amazing.
00:19:55
Speaker
Well, awesome. It's always good to hear these stories and to know that there is a life after SB Nation for a lot of these sites. And for a lot of these sites, even more encouragingly, it's been surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, it's been better in a lot of cases. I think there's been a lot of sites that have been able to kind of grow their wings and actually grow at a rate that feels a little bit more sustainable. So it's awesome to see this stuff and it's been great catching up with you, Sam.
00:20:23
Speaker
Yeah, I know. It's been a great catching up. It's been a while besides Slack chat. So again, thank you so much for having me on.
00:20:30
Speaker
Yeah, and where can people read your stuff? What's the URL? Where are you on Twitter? Yeah, so definitely, you know, check us out www.theblazingmusket.com. You'll find all of our stuff there, including, you know, we also do cover the US national teams and, you know, have Copa America coverage as well. But you can follow us on Twitter at blazing musket, not gonna lie, don't really use it that much. That's Twitter for you. You can find me on Twitter at Sam underscore mint in 22.
00:20:58
Speaker
And then also, because Dolan will get mad at me if I don't mention it, check out our Instagram, theblazingmusket, for all your content needs. Absolutely. Well, thank you, Sam. Thanks for catching up. And I'm Jeremiah Shan. This is No Study Yetis, and we will catch you next time.
00:22:12
Speaker
We love you. Let's win another one!