Caleb Porter introduced as Revolution head coach tomorrow, Messi coming to Foxboro April 27

Caleb Porter, the new New England Revolution head coach, will be introduced in a press conference to be held at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, January 3.

The Revolution had been without a head coach since Bruce Arena, the all-time winningest coach in MLS history, resigned on Sept. 9, some six weeks after he had been suspended for alleged reports of inappropriate and insensitive remarks.

After Major League Soccer’s investigation determined that there was credibility to the allegations, Arena resigned. He had been initially replaced by assistant Richie Williams but, on Sept. 12 Clint Peay, another assistant, was named interim coach. Neither fared well. The team struggled, was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and Peay was not appointed to the top spot.

Curt Onalfo, who had been the Revolution’s Technical Director for the past four seasons, was promoted to the position of Sporting Director on Nov. 30. Selecting a new coach became his primary concern.

“We want to make sure we have a coach in place prior to the start of preseason, so January is the timeline to have a coach in place,” Onalfo said during his first session with the media, on Dec. 1.

In a press release, the Revolution stressed that Caleb, the 2013 MLS Coach of the Year, “is one of only six coaches to win multiple MLS Cup championships, and one of three to do so with more than one club, having led both the Portland Timbers (2015) and Columbus Crew SC (2020) to title-winning seasons.”

His title in 2020 was celebrated even in Portugal because that year Pedro Santos become the first Portuguese player to win the MLS Cup.

“Caleb Porter is a gifted and respected coach with more than two decades of coaching experience who has delivered MLS Cup championships to both of his previous clubs. Caleb has consistently demonstrated the leadership and tactical acumen needed to build a winning team in our league,” Onalfo said in a statement. “We know he is the right person to lead our team, which we believe is already well positioned to compete for trophies.”

Despite his success during his four seasons with the Crew, the club elected to “part ways” with Porter after the 2022 campaign, primarily because of the failure to make the playoffs the previous two seasons.

Porter inherits a talented squad, a team that just two years ago set the MLS record for points (73), while winning the Supporters’ Shield title.

“I’m honored to be named as the head coach of the New England Revolution. I’d like to start by thanking Robert and Jonathan Kraft, President Brian Bilello, and Sporting Director Curt Onalfo for this incredible opportunity,” Porter said. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear the character, passion, and ambition that the people in this club possess and I immediately felt connected and aligned with their strategy and values. The Revolution have a rich history and I’m driven to build off that strong foundation and help the players add to their legacy with the club.

“Lastly, I’m extremely motivated to reward the supporters for their undying loyalty over the past 27 years,” Porter added. “I will work relentlessly to bring the first MLS Cup to this storied club and New England.”

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami scheduled to visit Gillette Stadium on April 27

As happened pretty much in every city across the league, most of the interest regarding the unveiling of the 2024 MLS schedule focused on the date of the visit by Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. For the Revolution that date is April 27 at 7:30 pm.

The Argentine superstar attracted massive crowds since his arrival in July and helped MLS break numerous attendance records. Revolution president Brian Bilello is well aware of that excitement and projects a huge turnout on April 27.

“Hopefully it’s a great experience off the field, a great experience on the field, and it encourages (fans) to come to more games,” Bilello told MassLive.

Interestingly, nine teams recorded double-digit percentage increases across MLS in 2023.

“History made! Our players delivered on the field, and fans turned out in record numbers. A massive THANK YOU to everyone who attended MLS matches this season. Your amazing support has elevated MLS to new heights! Here’s to even more unforgettable moments in the years to come,” MLS commissioner Don Garber posted on social media.

Messi had a slight contribution, with the biggest impact, predictably in Miami, as Inter saw a 40% increase, from 12,637 to 17,698 spectators. But the Revolution also saw a 18% jump and set a new club attendance record, with an average of 23,940 fans per game, despite not having hosted Lionel Messi.

“More people have been coming, and I think when more people come the games are more fun and exciting so then even more people come and it sort of snowballs,” Bilello told MassLive. “We’ve done really well, and I feel very confident, frankly, that we’re going to be in the top-five of attendance in the league next year.”

Although there is no guarantee that Messi will actually come to Gillette Stadium, as some superstars from Europe have been unwilling to play on the artificial surface at Gillette Stadium after joining MLS, many fans will take that chance and buys tickets for the game.

“It’s a soccer match and we’re playing Miami,” Bilello told the Boston Globe. “It is being promoted as us versus Miami. There are images — in the marketing he’s in them, but I don’t think it is being marketed as a ‘Messi Match.’ It’s Revs v. Miami, and there are images of the teams’ best players — Carles [Gil] and Messi. We’re trying hard not to make this about one guy.”

The Revolution open the season on Feb. 21, when they travel to Panama to face Club Atlético Independiente in a Concacaf Champions Cup first round game. Opening day in Major League Soccer comes three days later, when the Revolution travel to Washington D.C. to face D.C. United. Pedro Santos, who had some stellar seasons with Caleb Porter at Columbus, is in his second year with D.C. United.

The first home games will be on Thursday, Feb. 29, the second leg of the Champions Cup against Club Atlético Independiente, and on March 3, the regular season MLS opener against Toronto FC.

As usual, the Revolution will play 34 MLS games during the regular season, six against Western Conference opponents (Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, St. Louis City SC and Houston Dynamo), and two against each of the other 14 Eastern Conference teams.

2024 Revolution Season Memberships are already on sale, while sales to the general public start on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The club is also offering four-game and six-game packages “featuring options both with and without the April 27 home match vs. Inter Miami CF.”

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: New Revolution head coach introduced Jan. 3, Messi coming to Foxboro April 27