3 takeaways from the Revolution’s 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC

New England Revolution

“There have been too many of those games this year where we’re right there to win — especially at home — we’ve got to go and win it.”

The Revolution tied Toronto FC 1-1 at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night, with New England managing to avoid another difficult loss at home thanks to Luca Langoni’s deflected 90th-minute equalizer.

The Revolution once again struggled to create chances for much of the night, despite facing a team that is below them in the standings (Toronto remained 12th in the Eastern Conference).

With the draw, the Revolution are also stuck in the same position (11th). Because Chicago lost 3-1 to New York City FC, Caleb Porter’s team was not officially eliminated from playoff contention. Yet in the postgame, the under pressure New England coach all but acknowledged the race for a postseason spot has ended.

Here are a few takeaways:

Another disappointing result at Gillette Stadium

Even with a draw, the outcome perpetuates what has become a common practice for the 2025 Revolution. Facing a very winnable game at home, New England was not only unable to walk away with all three points, but was somewhat fortunate to not endure a 10th defeat at Gillette Stadium in the current MLS season.

After producing a stilted offensive display in the first 45 minutes, the Revolution — forced to play without starting forwards Leo Campana and Ignatius Ganago due to injuries — simply could not find go-ahead goal.

And in another nod at familiarity in 2025, it was the visiting team that provided the initial breakthrough. Toronto forward Theo Corbeanu, popping up on a counterattack, drove at New England center-back Tanner Beason before cutting outside and lashing his shot past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner inside the far post.

“I told [the team] the difference between us being in the playoffs and not this year is in that second half when it was 0-0, when the game is there for the taking, we don’t find the goal, and we’re not patient and we get a little bit antsy, and we concede the goal,” Porter said afterward.

As has also been the case under Porter, New England didn’t quit. The team admirably fought back until Langoni’s deflected shot found the back of the net just inside the 90 minute mark. Still, a winning goal proved elusive.

“It’s just disappointing that they find that goal at 0-0 on us, because we’re knocking on the door,” Porter said. “There have been too many of those games this year where we’re right there to win — especially at home — we’ve got to go and win it.”

The postseason chase remains alive in name only

New England entered the night knowing that a draw or a loss — plus a Chicago win against NYCFC — would officially bring any chance of a playoff appearance to a formal end.

While Chicago’s defeat means that the Revolution’s playoff path technically remains unclosed, it now seems to merely be a question of when rather than if the door will firmly close on the postseason.

“We need a couple of pieces still, but we’re close,” Porter said of the state of the team. His own future with the club remains very much in doubt, facing a second straight year without a playoff appearance. Still, the two-time MLS Cup winner has remained upbeat even in the circumstances.

“I really believe that we’re close to success,” he added, “so I’m going to keep moving this club forward. We’re going to keep building for the future. We’re going to develop continuity in the system, and obviously in the offseason we’re going to keep adding players and keep getting better. So we need to get better in the boxes, and add a few pieces to turn those margins.”

An eye toward the future

The game marked the first MLS start for 18-year-old Ugandan midfielder Allan Oyirwoth, who was given a central midfield role with Matt Polster still out injured.

Oyirwoth, who has drawn praise from club staff and teammates at the Revolution II level in 2025, looked calm in possession and made several quality cross-field passes to showcase his potential.

“Allan, he made it look easy today for an 18-year-old kid to go out there and kind of breeze it like he did today,” Porter explained. “I don’t think he did much wrong tonight, and you never know with a kid when you put him in what his mentality is going to be like. He was very calm and confident.

Porter also praised the ongoing development of 17-year-old left back Peyton Miller.

“I remember when we first started playing him, he couldn’t make it 90 minutes,” Porter said of the Connecticut native. “We had to sub him out at every single half, he was dead.

“He’s playing [full games], and he’s playing at a high level,” the New England coach said of Miller’s growth. “He’s getting better defensively. He’s getting better in the final third. He’s had an excellent year. His mentality, he takes steps forward every single week.”