Matt Polster determined to lift MLS trophy after mentality shift

New England Revolution midfielder Matt Polster admits a mentality shift was difficult but necessary to succeed and push for MLS titles.

After spending two seasons with Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, Polster returned to face a challenge with the Revolution and now rarely gets the spotlight playing in a team that includes MVP frontrunner Carles Gil, USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner, rising Canadian star Tajon Buchanan, and Golden Boot chasers Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa.

Polster admits he's had to adapt, having found it difficult to find his voice among league-leading figures.

“It was just a different level of mentality that took me time to adapt to,” Polster told MLSsoccer.com.
“Maybe I was slower on that front and that's what kept me from getting over that threshold, but for me, I've come back and feel as if I've brought that mentality to New England. It’s wanting to win every game regardless of the situation and trying to push my teammates to those same goals.

Now, the midfielder has only one goal; winning the league. 

“If you think I'm underrated, great. If you think I'm overrated, great,” Polster said. “To me, I just want to win something this year. I want to win with this group of players. We have an incredible group, we have a lot of talented players and we just gel together. That's genuinely what I care about most. It's all about winning.”

Polster was involved in several transfer rumors during both MLS transfer windows but remained with the Revolution to chase the title.

“I don't think I would have left for any other club or any other manager,” Polster said. “Because it was New England and it was Bruce, I knew that he could win in MLS and bring the right players to help. I wanted to be part of that group to achieve something here. I didn't really have any intention of leaving, I wanted to stay a bit longer but I also wanted to play a little bit more and be part of a winning team. I knew Bruce could do that here in New England.”

New England currently leads the Eastern Conference with 52 points in 24 matches and a record of 16-4-4, sitting 14 points clear of second place Orlando City SC.