Before Bruce Arena arrived in May 2019 in the dual role of head coach and sporting director, the New England Revolution likely would have been satisfied with reaching the Final Four of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
But Arena changed expectations after snapping a three-year streak of playoff absences, then guiding to the Eastern Conference Final this year.
“It’s hard to go that far and not win a couple more games,” Revolution president Brian Bilello said in a recent interview. “I would say, around the organization and knowing the squad we have and how we played at the end, probably disappointment is how we feel...