They might not need to look far. Jim Curtin and Giovanni Savarese top the list of proven former MLS coaches who are available, along with assistants such as the LA Galaxy's Dan Calichman -- who, like Savarese, competed for early Revolution teams.

Curtin guided the Philadelphia Union to a 176-133-111 record and an MLS Cup final in 10 seasons before being fired last year. Savarese won three NASL Soccer Bowls with the New York Cosmos and lost two MLS Cup finals with the Timbers. Calichman captured MLS Cup titles under Greg Vanney with both Toronto FC and the Galaxy.

Finals aspirations are a ways off, though. The Revolution need to first re-establish themselves as a playoff team.

The next step could be as simple as finding a couple of productive strikers. The current roster is functional, and the tactical scheme provides security, plus enough chances. The finishing touch, however, has been missing.

There are options up front, but not enough. Leonardo Campana (six goals) has underperformed and, with a chance to salvage things, was away on duty with Ecuador for the pivotal 3-2 loss at the Chicago Fire on Sept. 6. Tomás Chancalay (four goals), recovered from knee surgery, is close to full speed but is better on the wing. Ignatius Ganago (three goals), also recovering from knee surgery, has missed 10 games due to callups and injury.

A double-figure scoring forward might have meant postseason qualification and could have saved Porter's job, but Israeli striker Dor Turgeman was added too late to contribute. New England also could have followed the example of FC Cincinnati, which added Kevin Denkey (13 goals) and Evander da Silva Ferreira (17) in the preseason, then later Kei Kamara (the Revolution's leading scorer in 2017) and Brenner Souza da Silva.

Even lacking up-front punch, potential was on display, as in a 2-1 road win over the Crew last month. That the Revolution have lost only once by more than a goal over 90 minutes -- three of their four two-goal losses included injury-time goals against -- confirms Porter's assessment that they are on the verge of succeeding.

But their coaching position also comes with the baggage of an 0-5 record in MLS Cup finals despite those failures being well in the past. Bruce Arena and Porter were brought in with the expectation they could capture a championship, not just get to the playoffs.

Arena seemed on the path -- "he's going to get them back on top ... we just hope it's not this year," Curtin said in 2019. Arena gained the 2020 semifinals, only to lose to Porter's Crew, the eventual titlist. But since taking the Supporters' Shield and falling in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2021, the Revolution have declined.

If they are indeed close to contending, falling short in a sixth championship game would be traumatic. Which means the organization will have to do something it has never done -- go strong, even overboard, with player investments. This means no cutting corners, no hesitation when it comes to pursuing profile difference-makers, and pushing the league rules envelope.

Showing the way are Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami. While others hope to capture the MLS Cup, they expect to win it. LAFC went the extra step, bringing in Gareth Bale on the way to the 2022 title, a penalty kicks victory over Curtin's Union. Bale retired after the contest, but LAFC stuck with the formula, contracting France World Cup-winners Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris, plus Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. They fell short, but continued with Cengiz Under, then hit the jackpot with Heung Son-Min.

LAFC is committed to pushing every button possible to produce a championship. It's unlikely the Revolution will match the ambition, but turning them into a postseason contender is within reach.

After Caleb Porter's ouster, it's clear Revolution must not cut corners if they want to truly contend - The Boston Globe