August 6, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – New England Revolution News Release
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution will host the Philadelphia Union at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, August 8. The Supporters’ Shield-leading Revolution will kick off against third-place Philadelphia at 6:00 p.m. ET on WSBK-TV38, myRITV, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and 1260 AM Nossa Radio.
Following Friday’s training session, Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena, defender Henry Kessler, and midfielder Matt Polster met with the media to preview Sunday’s contest. View the links below to access the Revolution’s game notes for Sunday, today’s interviews and transcripts, training b-roll, and additional media assets.
Subject to change; Spanish and Portuguese translation available
Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena (August 6, 2021)
On what to expect on Sunday against Philadelphia Union:
Arena: “You prepare for a good game. You prepare for two teams that will play. Philadelphia is fairly direct. They have good finishers. Their striker [Kacper Przybylko] is a good player, they have a very good midfield, and certainly one of the best goalkeepers [Andre Blake] in the league.”
On an update on Carles Gil’s injury status:
Arena: “None of that except the fact that he [Carles Gil] looked fine moving around the field today.”
On why the Revolution chose not make an addition during the summer transfer window:
Arena: “Because we didn’t find a player that we thought would fit in with our club.”
On reports of Tajon Buchanan making a potential transfer:
Arena: “Well, I don’t know if I’m going to answer your questions as you’ve asked them, but when we have any news of that, we will make sure that the press is the first to know. Why MLS puts out these stories, I don’t know. But we will update everyone if there are going to be any moves. And if we finalize a move, we’ll let you know, and you’ll get accurate information.”
On Carles Gil’s training status on Thursday:
Arena: “[Carles Gil] was off to the side [today].”
On Gil’s previous injury history:
Arena: “I know nothing about 2015 and 2017. I don’t know what the injuries were in the past pertaining to that. We’re watching Carles closely and we’ll move him along appropriately.”
On considering a minutes restriction for Carles Gil:
Arena: “This isn’t the NBA. We don’t have minute limitations as much as we do it according to players’ fitness and everything else. We’re not at that point with Carles [Gil] or anybody else. At this point in the season, we don’t have any limitations on players besides the fact that we rotate to keep them fresh. But right now, we haven’t made any of those types of decisions.”
Revolution Defender Henry Kessler (August 6, 2021)
On matching up with the Philadelphia Union’s physical forwards:
Kessler: “That was a controversial one, the goal that we conceded against them last time [May 12]. Those are two big guys, [Kacper] Przybyłko and [Sergio] Santos. We need to keep an eye on them, and yeah, I think we’ll be up for the challenge.”
On the most beneficial part of his experience with the United States Men’s National Team at the Gold Cup:
Kessler: “Kind of just a knockout tournament. You don’t get too much experience in that. Obviously, with MLS we have playoffs, so probably more than most people we get knockout game experience. Just being in that group was great. Being around the national team is always great – being in that environment. So, I certainly learned a lot from the trainings and the atmosphere that every stadium came with. I just tried to soak it all in.”
On making his international debut in the Gold Cup Final:
Kessler: “I think I’m the only person who’s made their debut in a competitive tournament final in extra time. It was special for me. More than anything was just, I was proud that I was there and that I was ready if called upon. I was happy to get the cap, obviously. I think the fact that Gregg [Berhalter] put me in so late shows that he trusts me. What he told me was just win the ball, put yourself in the middle on set pieces, attack the ball. Pretty much I was put in there for defensive responsibilities, so that’s what he said. But the takeaway was me being ready, less so than my performance.”
On Andrew Farrell potentially setting a new club record for most games started on Sunday:
Kessler: “It’s great. Andrew is great. Great guy, great player. He’s relaxed. It brings a different element to the team. He’s obviously very experienced. I think that helps always, especially with younger guys like myself. So, it’s been great to play next to him. He brings different attributes. He can play forward, [is a] really good defender. Obviously, with all the games he’s played, he’s in there for a reason. He’s done really well and he continues to do well, and it’ll be a great moment for him.”
On having teammate Matt Turner in with the USMNT when he got called in for Gold Cup:
Kessler: “I was just talking mostly as a friend, because the ‘keepers are kind of secluded doing their own thing. But it was good to have a familiar face there. Definitely someone I can talk to if I ever had any problems. He had a heck of a tournament, so I was rooting for him from the side. He gave me the confidence if and when I did come on that I would do well. So, it was good to have him there.”
On the rising intensity of games in the second half of the season:
Kessler: “Everyone is fighting for points. For us, hopefully it’s for the Supporters’ Shield. But for a lot of other teams, it’s for playoff positions – trying to make the playoffs or get a higher seed. So, points are really important to everyone. As you get closer, there are less opportunities to do so, so teams are going to come out flying. That’s something we need to be ready for.”
On transfer rumors around the club and if he aspires to play in Europe in the future:
Kessler: “First of all, those guys have done really well, and they deserve the attention that they’re getting. It is something that I would like to experience one day. Right now, I’m 100 percent focused on the Revs. I think something that makes it attractive is you get to play in European competitions, whether that’s Europa League or Champions League. Qualifying for those is huge. Putting yourself up against some of the best players in the world, I think that’s what makes it attractive, among many other things.”
Revolution Midfielder Matt Polster (August 6, 2021)
On whether his role in the midfield changes during Carles Gil’s absence:
Polster: “Yeah, obviously losing arguably the best player in the league right now, you know, he creates a lot for us going into the attack. I think it’s not just necessarily myself, I think as a group we need to find different ways to score goals. We have a lot of talent on this team. We have a lot of good attacking pieces, like Teal [Bunbury], Tajon [Buchanan], Arnór [Traustason], Adam [Buksa], and Gustavo [Bou], and there’s more than that. We have guys that can do different things to help us score goals. We’ll have to figure that out until Carles gets back but I feel more than confident that as a group we can find ways to win games.”
On reflecting on his first year in New England after joining the club last July:
Polster: “Yeah, it’s kind of what I expected. Bruce has brought in good players to win games and that’s what I wanted to do here – win on a consistent basis and try to win something, maybe a Supporters’ Shield or MLS Cup. Hopefully, maybe, next year when we get back to the Open Cup, that we win something. That’s what I want to do. That’s what everybody in this group wants to do. It’s a competitive team. We have a lot of good pieces. We have a lot of good depth. That’s what I expected. I’m happy with where we’re at right now but it’s only halfway through the year. We need to now raise the level a little bit and push on and try to achieve something.”
On whether he’s offered any advice to his teammates who may want to play in Europe in the future:
Polster: “I haven’t spoken to them directly, with anybody that’s looking to go. I think it’s a great opportunity for any young player that wants to see what it’s like on the other side and try something different. MLS is fun and it’s a great league, but there’s a lot of room to grow when you go to Europe. You have different avenues to go to different places and compete at a high level against really good players. If people, certain players want to go, I encourage it and I’m sure Bruce is saying the same thing. You know, you want to push yourself as a player to the highest levels. You want to be a part of national teams. You want to be a part of Europe. The players that have that opportunity should take it if it’s given.”
On what the team’s focusing on in training ahead of Sunday’s match against Philadelphia:
Polster: “As of right now, I think it’s mostly trying to recover. Obviously, we’ve had a lot of games in a short spell. I think that’s the main focus, because we want to be as fresh as possible going into the Philly game. I think at the end of the day, we weren’t good enough on the ball [in Wednesday’s draw with Nashville SC] and that was kind of harped on throughout the game. I think if we were a little bit sharper in moments, we would have created better chances. Going into the Philly game, it’s a different type of a challenge. I think they’re going to come out a little bit more of their shape and push us. We’re just going to have to find ways, like I said, to score goals.”
On playing alongside Andrew Farrell as he sets a new club record for most games started:
Polster: “Farrell. Interesting guy. I absolutely love him. He’s earned everything he’s achieved here. If he starts over the weekend, it’s an achievement he’s worked for his whole career. I’m happy for him, I’ve told him. When he got [MLS] Team of the Week, I shot him a little text. He deserved that. He’s played really well throughout the year. He definitely has put an all-star performance halfway through the year so far. Hopefully he keeps doing his thing and definitely more games to come. He’s just a great character to have on this team and a great leader.”
On the team’s mood following Wednesday’s draw against Nashville SC:
Polster: “I think, obviously, it’s tough to take things at face value right after a game. Obviously, we wanted – at home, we’re trying to pick up as many points as possible. The way Nashville came out obviously frustrated us a little bit. We expected that. We didn’t step up to the task and we didn’t achieve what we wanted to, which was three points. We’re obviously a little disappointed, but everybody’s looked past it now and realize we have another big game on the weekend. And again, the goal is to get three points and keep pushing ourselves. It kind of shows the standard and what we’re trying to achieve, and that’s to try and win every game. I think guys are, after a result where we think we tried to win the game and we don’t, it just shows that the expectation that each player has for this group and the standard that we’re holding ourselves to.”
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
