Revolution had shot to make statement against one of MLS’s best. Instead, they got a harsh reality check.

FOXBOROUGH — The few positive takeaways for the Revolution from their 3-0 loss to Nashville on Wednesday night include that the season series is over. Plus, they slipped only slightly, to third place in the Eastern Conference, and they have a chance to get back on track against Minnesota on Saturday.

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In February, the Revolution opened with a 4-1 loss in Nashville. They soon recovered, and took a seven-game unbeaten streak into Wednesday’s match — which turned into a harsh reality check, indicating the Revolution’s record (7-4-1, 22 points) is deceiving. Or, the numbers could mean the Revolution are simply overmatched against Nashville, while the decline of Eastern Conference opponents otherwise make them look good.

In any case, the Revolution squandered a chance to take over first place against a team competing without three starters, including leading scorer Sam Surridge (six goals in six games against the Revolution), along with Honduran international Andy Nájar, injured in the second minute of the second half — it took three minutes for a replacement. Results of the last two seasons indicate Nashville has simply constructed a superior roster. Revolution coaches — Caleb Porter last year and Marko Mitrovic this one — have not been so much outmaneuvered by Nashville’s B.J. Callaghan, but simply could not field a lineup capable of keeping pace.

In the offseason Callaghan, who guided the US national team, with Mitrovic assisting, in 2023, refreshed his central defense, which had little problem stifling Dor Turgeman. Also, newcomers Cristian Espinoza and Warren Madrigal have relieved pressure on Hani Mukhtar, who seldom threatened on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Revolution had several vulnerabilities exposed: over-dependence on Carles Gil’s playmaking; difficulties replacing right back Ilay Feingold (leg) and Luca Langoni (lower-body injury); and minimal threats on the wings.

A greater failing, though, was the Revolution’s inability to read the game. For Nashville, it was a case of withstanding pressure early, then pouncing. So with Nashville patiently waiting to counterattack, the Revolution were caught upfield as Espinoza cut back for Bryan Acosta’s 34th-minute goal. Then, instead of holding possession and forcing Nashville to defend, the Revolution inexplicably shifted into reverse, leaving Matt Turner to scuff a clearance to Madrigal in the 41st minute. Acosta finished the result from the top of the penalty arc in the 74th.

“I felt we were a little bit impatient coming into the final third,” Mitrovic said. “That was actually my message at halftime, ‘Can we just sustain a ball a little bit more and have more clarity in the final third?’ ”

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Unfortunately, Mitrovic is finding, for many Revolution players, staying composed while dissecting a packed-in defense does not come naturally. They have been able to get away with rushing things and imposing their attack. But that approach became doomed against Nashville’s organized, and physical, back line.

Though the Revolution remain ahead of last year’s pace — they had a 5-4-3 (18 points) mark after 12 games, and were in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak — they gave Nashville stronger tests in tying (0-0) and losing (3-2).

“Nashville FC is a very good reference,” Mitrovic said. “Nashville is probably one of the most stable teams, very consistent, very well coached, with high-profile players all around the field. I think that they also have a very [good] roster, so things that they do during the game don’t impact the way they play. When we played the [season opener], I felt like they are in that moment really a level above us, maybe even two. And it’s a long way to go for us. In the first 30 minutes, I felt much more positive comparing with Nashville. Now, it’s how we can sustain that through the whole game and get to that level.”

The Revolution have two games remaining before the World Cup break, which will give them a chance to reinforce the roster but also penalize their possession game, since Gillette Stadium’s field will revert to artificial turf.

“I feel that the team has a strong belief and confidence,” Mitrovic said. “The best teams in the world, it’s not easy to sustain winning streaks or not losing the games. I see disappointment in the locker room, but sometimes that disappointment can go in two ways — how are you going to recover and how you’re going to take it? Or disappointment, because you know we are better than this.

“One thing that is always our approach, it’s no matter the result, we have to maximize our next day. We never talk about, like, ‘Oh, we won the game.’ When we reflect on the games — what positives or things that we can use in the future to grow as a team. But tomorrow is the next day, and that’s something that makes me believe that we will recover for Saturday from this game.”

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