New England Revolution need to seize ‘real momentum’ of 2021 MLS season

Andrew Farrell and Carles Gil celebrate a goal. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Tuesday night in December can be a tough sell in Foxborough, but a 25,509-person crowd for the Revolution’s one-and-done playoff campaign provided another example of soccer’s potential. And it was not just the numbers.

Gillette Stadium seemed to come alive as the Revolution went down on penalty kicks against eventual MLS Cup winners New York City FC after playing to a 2-2 draw after extra time. There was volume. There was passion and it was palpable.

Fans were plugged in and the highs and lows of a soccer game were reflected in their responses. Hopes were raised when Tajon Buchanan equalized in the 118th minute. Disappointment emerged after Alexander Callens’ final penalty kick ended things.

The Revolution will have to wait until next year. But had the Revolution been victorious — say, Adam Buksa scoring on that last-minute breakaway, or Gustavo Bou not skying his left-footer off the resulting corner — the next game would’ve been nearly twice as well-attended. As for the MLS Cup final, had the Revolution advanced?