With week-by-week rehab goals in mind, Chris Tierney wants to get back out there

FOXBOROUGH — It goes without saying, but Revolution defender Chris Tierney really wants to put on that navy blue jersey again.

Out of action since tearing his right ACL against Atlanta United in late May and having undergone successful surgery on June 28, Tierney has begun his rehab: while the squad is working to produce results on the training pitch, Tierney is inside Gillette Stadium with the trainers, working to get himself back to match fitness.

That’s still a long ways away, of course, but the Wellesley native is keeping a positive attitude.

“The first little while post-surgery was a little tough but it’s starting to feel better,” Tierney said as he stood on the touchline Tuesday morning. “It’s just a grind, you know? It’s a whole different schedule for me on a daily basis now, which is an adjustment. It’s going to be a long road, but a lot of good challenges to look forward to.

“(Playing again is) the ultimate goal, but I’ve set shorter term goals to keep me going. This week, I’m working to get my flexion to a certain degree, and that’ll be my goal for this week. Then I’ll set a new goal for next week. If I start thinking too much about the big picture, it gets a little daunting.”

Tierney said he has already begun strengthening exercises and treatments to get his right knee healed.

He noted that he’s been riding the stationary bicycle, “which is good to get the cardio going.”

Late in the first half of the Revs’ 1-1 draw with Atlanta United at Gillette on May 30, Tierney had gone up for a 50/50 ball with a Five Stripes player and landed awkwardly.

“I knew it was bad news,” he said about the moments after the injury. “I don’t really stay down unless it’s a real issue. I was hoping for the best, but between the sound and what I felt, I knew it was trouble.”

At the time of the injury, Tierney had started to shine for the Revolution. He had made four straight appearances and had three starts at his traditional left back slot after not finding the lineup since a three-minute run-out against Houston on March 31. After Gabriel Somi suffered a concussion early against Colorado on March 10, Tierney entered the match in the 17th minute and wound up scoring the match winner on a free kick in second-half stoppage time.

For Tierney, the injury is behind him, having accepted it.

“It was difficult,” he said. “You always want to be on the field helping the guys and I really worked hard to get myself into the team. It took a while and I got a chance, and I felt like I was starting to get into decent form, then the injury happened.

“It’s one of those things that you can’t do anything to change it now.”

On Tuesday, Tierney stood on the touchline as the Revolution prepared to take on Orlando City. At one point, Charlie Davies came over and offered encouragement.

As expected, Tierney misses the camaraderie.

“That’s the best part of being a pro athlete, your teammates and enjoying the atmosphere of the locker room and training,” he said. “That’s what I miss being in the treatment room most of the time. Any time I get to come out and watch the guys train and put my two cents in here and there. That’s what keeps me going these days.”

Tierney has kept up with the team and believes the Revs have played well in his absence.

“We’ve had some tough luck. Our performances have been better than our results,” he said. “I think Brad (Friedel) and his staff have done really well this year; they’re going to have a plan to get us out of this little streak we’re in now but I think — and Brad’s made it clear — it’s about mentality.

“If you watched training, that’s starting to change and improve. I think there’s good things are ahead.”