With a win Wednesday over visiting Nashville, the Revolution’s season will have come full circle

FOXBOROUGH — Another long season seemed in store after the Revolution opened with a 4-1 loss at Nashville SC in February. There were problems with central defenders; newcomers failed to make an impact; and no new coach bounce from Marko Mitrovic.

Read more Black residents upset at Wu’s policies are directing their ire at a new target: Boston city councilors of color

But instead of being left in the dust, the Revolution have a chance to overtake Nashville for first place in the Eastern Conference when the teams meet on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution (7-3-1, 22 points) are 2 points behind Nashville (7-1-3, 24) and will take a seven-game unbeaten streak in league play into the match.

The Revolution’s initial difficulties appear forgotten, as they have compiled a 6-0-0 home record for the first time in their 31-year history. They capitalized on home-field advantage, and Gillette Stadium’s temporary grass field, to take a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union Saturday night.

Much has changed since Opening Day:

▪ Central defense is proving a strength, with Ethan Kohler complementing Mamadou Fofana. Kohler, replacing Brayan Ceballos (groin), has displayed composure and effective passing. Fofana has provided physicality, plus goal-line clearances in two one-goal victories.

▪ Midfielder Brooklyn Raines and winger Griffin Yow, both first-year Revolution players, have been dependable in supporting roles.

▪ Mitrovic has shown to be a solid motivator, along with making decisive tactical adjustments.

The Revolution’s attacking schemes have been effective, both in the run of play and on set pieces. They have totaled 20 goals (plus-7 goal differential), well ahead of last season’s pace, when they compiled a 5-4-2 record, scoring 12 goals in 11 matches.

Against the Union, the Revolution rallied on a spectacular Luca Langoni curler from the top of the penalty area and an 87th-minute Carles Gil finish. Langoni provided the team’s 10th score off a restart this season, finishing a give-and-go with Gil after a Will Sands cross led to a corner kick.

After struggling against the Union’s pressing tactics in the opening half, and trailing on a Sands own goal, the Revolution capitalized as the game opened up in the second half.

They equalized in transition, the Union caught just far enough forward following Fofana’s goal-line clearance (59th minute). A Gil-Sands combination was knocked away by keeper Andre Blake, with Dor Turgeman threatening. Langoni’s corner was headed directly back to him, leading to the 61st-minute goal, his second of the season.

Read more Iran and the US are at an impasse ahead of Trump’s China trip

The Revolution took advantage of the Union overplaying defensively, as Gil broke the deadlock. Gil combined with Matt Polster, then followed the play as Turgeman drew defenders near the penalty spot.

Gil has converted four times this season, including three second-half game-winners, all in the 85th minute or later.

“Carles [is] doing so many great things for us, both in and out of possession,” Mitrovic said. “A player that has his quality can change the game at any given moment in any given game.

“I’m saying again, we are not looking at Carles through numbers. We are not here to create Carles’s numbers. We are here to win the games, and the way that Carles is taking it, he’s taking it in the best possible way. He’s helping the team in every sense, in and out of possession.”

The Revolution’s improved standing also can be credited to the decline of the Union (1-8-3, 6 points), last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners, and other Eastern Conference opponents. The Revolution have defeated Charlotte, Cincinnati, and the Columbus Crew — .500 or worse now, but playoff teams last year. Surprisingly, they have the edge on Inter Miami (6-2-4, 22 points) via goal difference and points per game, partly thanks to holding the Herons to a 1-1 tie two weeks ago.

Nor does a strong home start guarantee long-term success — the Revolution started the 2023 season with a 15-game home unbeaten streak (11-0-4), but faltered in the playoffs.

“I wish that we can break those records more often, whatever they are, but I think we will be more aware about those records one day,” Mitrovic said. “Right now, we just don’t have time for that. We have time to just keep working day-by-day and making the best version of ourselves on that day.”

The Revolution-Nashville contest will feature two former US national team coaches — Mitrovic was an assistant to Nashville’s B.J. Callaghan when the US won the 2023 CONCACAF Nations Cup; as well as former league MVPs in Gil (2021) and Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar (2022).

Nashville, which finished sixth last year, has had its resiliency tested. It advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and has an 11-3-6 overall record after rallying from a two-goal deficit for a 2-2 tie Saturday with D.C. United.

Read more Democrats vow to fight $1 billion Senate security proposal for White House ballroom