FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Unfortunately the New England Revolution’s 2019 results speak for themselves, as the Revs are 2-8-2 through their first 12 games. As such, everyone - including the players - knew that there had to be a big change.
That change happened quickly on Thursday afternoon, directly after New England returned home from their midweek 5-0 loss at the Chicago Fire. It was New England's second consecutive heavy defeat following a 6-1 loss in Philadelphia, and as a result it contributed to the club parting ways with head coach Brad Friedel.
“A lot was going through my head,” Teal Bunbury said about his reaction to the coaching change. “It’s been a tough season, not only for coach, but for us as players, as well, maybe for the organization. I know fans were frustrated. I know the coaching staff was frustrated. I know us, as players, were frustrated because we didn’t perform the way we should have. So it wasn’t, maybe, a complete shock, but also was tough to take.
“You never want someone to have to lose their job, but as players now we have to move forward. I think we have to look at each other and kind of really pump each other up and pick each other up, and try to get the most out of these remaining 22 games, and I know we’re going to respond well.”
The opportunity to respond starts immediately as Friedel assistant Mike Lapper was named interim head coach, and he'll be put to the test quickly with a home match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.
“It’s been [some] quick changes coming here, a lot of moving pieces – we’re just trying to take it all in,” said Andrew Farrell, who is one of several players going through their second coaching change with the Revs. “At the end of the day, we’re the ones who have to change it. No one is walking in the door right now, so as the guys in the locker room, we’re going to have to change this.”
The players came together after receiving Thursday's news for a team meeting. While they know that with a coaching search underway there are many adjustments that have yet to come, what they do know for certain now is that the key to moving forward is to do so together.
“We need to raise the morale,” said Scott Caldwell. “No one is happy with what’s happened in the last few weeks, and yesterday, and we need to raise the morale and make sure guys are able to perform to the best of their abilities. Whether it’s a few of us talking with each other or amongst the whole group, we have to raise everyone’s performances.”
As the players take accountability knowing that they need to put in the work for each other, they understand that the first step starts with Saturday’s match against San Jose.
“We had a talk in the locker room this morning with what we’re going to do moving forward, and we’re just looking ahead,” said Juan Agudelo. “We have a game tomorrow, which is a really quick turnaround and I would rather focus all my energy on that because we need that.
“We’re going out to training right now and understand that something had to change. That was the decision that was made, and now it’s up to us players and the new training staff roles’ to win.”
Lapper echoed the players' sentiments on looking ahead.
"My hope is that the players use this as a catapult to just move forward and get the results, get the wins, and get this club where we really need to be and should be." he said.
Kickoff against the San Jose Earthquakes is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
