Heartbreak at Gillette as Revolution Draw Fire 2-2 in Season Finale Presented by Dean College; Off-Season Uncertainty Looms
- James Smith
- Oct 19
- 3 min read
FOXBOROUGH, MA – The 2025 New England Revolution season ended with a dramatic, stop-start, 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. In a match presented by Dean College, the Revs fought to the bitter end, ultimately splitting the points in a contest defined by stoppage-time chaos, officially closing the book on a disappointing campaign that saw the club finish outside the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Revolution began their season finale, held on "90's Night," with electric energy, scoring the quickest goal of their 2025 season just 44 seconds in. Midfielder Alhassan Yusuf pounced on a defensive turnover and expertly chipped the Chicago goalkeeper to give the home side an immediate 1-0 advantage.
Much of the match was a tense affair with both sides' trading chances. Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, in his 10th start of the season, came up big multiple times to keep the lead intact. The match momentum shifted in the 82nd minute when Chicago’s Philip Zinckernagel found the equalizer, a close-range shot over Turner to knot the score at 1-1.
The real drama, however, was reserved for the deep minutes of second-half stoppage time. Captain Carles Gil, making his 200th start for the club and collecting his 14th assist of the season, delivered a pinpoint free kick that Dor Turgeman headed home in the 90+6th minute, sending the crowd of 36,432 into a frenzy and seemingly securing a morale-boosting win. Turgeman’s goal was his third in as many games—a remarkable feat to end his brief but promising introduction to MLS.
Yet, the celebrations were short-lived. In the 90+9th minute, a cross into the Revs box deflected off a Revolution player, ultimately being credited as an own goal to Turgeman, leveling the score once more. The final whistle blew shortly after, concluding the Revs' season with a frustrating 2-2 draw.
During the intermission of the hard-fought match, the spotlight shifted to local soccer talent as the Dean College Men’s Soccer Team took to the field for a special halftime event. The Bulldogs, whose campus is just a short distance from Gillette Stadium in Franklin, MA, participated in a display that energized the crowd and showcased the
burgeoning collegiate soccer program. As a major sponsor of the match, Dean College’s presence highlighted the strong ties between the club and the local academic community.
The end of the 2025 regular season marks the beginning of a crucial and uncertain off-season for the New England Revolution. Finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference and missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year has necessitated significant changes, the most notable being the recent decision to part ways with Head Coach Caleb Porter.
Interim Head Coach Pablo Moreira guided the team through its final matches, but the club's primary focus now shifts to the search for a permanent successor. Sporting Director Curt Onalfo has already begun the process, emphasizing the need for a coach who can restore a winning culture, particularly at home, where the Revs struggled significantly in 2025.
Key Off-Season Talking Points: When conducting the post-match interview, these were the key talking points for the Revolution for not only the off-season, but the next MLS season:
New Head Coach: Finding the right leader will be paramount. The incoming coach will inherit a talented but underperforming roster, which Onalfo insists has the pieces to contend in the Eastern Conference.
Roster Decisions: While the club saw a significant overhaul last off-season, several contracts, including those of veterans like Andrew Farrell and Ignatius Ganago, may be expiring, offering some roster flexibility.
Designated Players: The status of the team’s Designated Players and the opportunity to leverage the U22 Initiative or the three-DP model will shape the team's ability to attract international talent. The acquisition of forward Dor Turgeman late in the season, who showed immediate scoring promise, hints at the kind of attacking impact the club will look to secure further.
Development Pathway: Continued success in the youth and MLS NEXT Pro systems, as highlighted by players like Peyton Miller and the growth of Revolution II players, will be vital for long-term stability and success.
Despite the on-field disappointment, the organization remains optimistic, focusing on the strength of their fan base, the opening of their state-of-the-art training facility, and ongoing efforts toward a soccer-specific stadium. The road back to contention will be challenging, but for the Revolution, the off-season work has already begun.
