The nomadic New England Revolution have returned to Foxboro from their long and winding North American soccer odyssey.

The Revolution have spent the last four and half weeks playing preseason games in Florida, a Concacaf Champions Cup match in Panama, and their MLS opener in Washington, D.C

The Revolution will play in front of their supporters for the first time when they host CA Independiente at 8:15 p.m. Thursday in leg two of their Champions Cup series at Gillette Stadium. The club will resume its MLS schedule against Toronto FC in the home opener on Sunday at 2 p.m.

“It is massive just to be in market, to be in your home and sleep in your own bed and be around your family,” said Revolution first year coach Caleb Porter.

“That work-life balance is important and we were on the road for four and a half weeks straight. I can see a buzz and an energy from the guys this week just being back home and just knowing we have home games as well. We want to get off to a good start in our home games.”

Round one of the Concacaf Champions Cup employs a home-and-home aggregate format where total goals determines which team advances to the next round.

The Revolution won the first game 1-0 on Feb. 21 at Estadio Universitario FC Stadium in Llano Marin, Panama. Forward Tomas Chancalay scored the lone goal in the 54th minute while goalkeeper Henrich Ravas recorded a clean sheet in his Revolution debut.

The Revolution are in an advantageous position up a goal at home in a cold weather venue against their warm bodied antagonists from Central America. Porter came to New England to collect trophies and the Champions Cup presents the Revolution’s first opportunity to secure a coveted piece of hardware in an international endeavor.

“It is better than to be even or behind and we are home, but we can’t assume that it is going to be cruise control to advance,” said Porter. “That is the worst mindset you can have and we know they are going to be aggressive.

“They are going to come in here and they are going to go for it. They may say there is nothing to lose so let’s go for it. The worst thing we can do is be tentative and try and protect the lead that we have.

“We need to play to win and that’s the key. We understand a win gets us through and a draw gets us through as well. But we are not going to take the field with the intention of drawing this game. We are going to take the field to win this game and advance in a real positive way.”

The Revolution return to their home pitch after a hard luck 3-1 loss to D.C. United on Saturday night at Audi Field. Striker Giacomo Vrioni picked up a second yellow card in the 25th minute and the Revolution played the rest on the way with 10 men on the pitch. Vrioni is eligible to play against CA Independiente but must sit out the MLS match against Toronto FC.

Going 65 minutes plus stoppage time against a formidable opponent like D.C. United was a strain, but Porter came away with a genuine respect for the resilience of the team he assembled in training camp.

D.C. United dynamic striker Christian Benteke was the difference-=maker with three goals, with two coming late in the second half.

“These guys are professionals, they have dealt with adversity and they have dealt with situations, ups and downs,” said Porter. “My conversation with Giacomo was simple, let’s learn for the mistakes. He was very remorseful and he apologized to the team and he apologized to me.

“There will be a lot of times during the year where players make mistakes and we have to support players that make mistakes. There will be a time where Giacomo finds a goal to win us a game and I’m hoping it is on Thursday.”