Targeting loftier ambitions, Revs emphasizing strong start in 2021

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Expectations are high for the New England Revolution in 2021 on the back of last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Final, and their quest for silverware begins in earnest on Saturday evening when they’ll visit Chicago Fire FC in the season opener (8:30 p.m. ET, WBZ, myRITV).

But the Revolution’s path through last year’s playoffs was a treacherous one, as they survived a Play-In Round matchup with CF Montréal (then the Montréal Impact) before successful road trips to visit the Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union and on-the-rise Orlando City SC. They then fell to eventual champions Columbus Crew SC, once again away from home. It was the path of a No. 8 seed,…