Recent run has exposed backline weaknesses for the Revolution

The New England Revolution have conceded two goals in their last three games, which is a trend the team hopes to reverse.

The Revs achieved 3-2 victories over New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls before being on the wrong side of a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas. After only allowing seven goals in their first eight games, the Revs have allowed six in their last three.

Matt Polster noted that the team needed to be better at seeing out the games against the teams from New York. He connected Sunday’s loss to individual mistakes that can be avoided.

“Tonight, maybe individual mistakes but you know we needed to help each other in certain moments, and we weren’t able to, and they got two goals,” Polster explained.

While the personnel along the backline has largely been the same this season, Jon Bell (5 starts) and and Henry Kessler (6 starts) have split time as Andrew Farrell’s center back partner. Bell started against NYCFC and Dallas while Kessler was given the nod against the Red Bulls.

When asked if switching between the two youngsters has caused chemistry issues, head coach Bruce Arena pointed to the team’s current record of 7-2-2.

“Well, we’ve lost two games out of 11. So, I don’t think it’s been a complete disaster,” Arena said.

Regardless of who is on the field, the Revs will look for an improved performance on Saturday when they travel to Columbus Crew SC. The Crew are currently 3-0-1 at home and will have extra motivation to stay undefeated as they open their new stadium. As a result, everyone on the Revs has to be keyed in.

“A little more focus, a little better from everybody to be honest,” Brandon Bye said. “Honestly, we need to take pride in not giving up goals and we haven’t done that in the last three games, so that’s something we have to talk about, something we have to get over and get through. But we’ll figure it out.”