The New England Revolution can win consecutive MLS encounters for the first time this year when they host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Despite a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC, the Revolution are still at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table, while the Red Bulls are fourth in the conference following a 1-0 victory over Orlando City.
Match preview
It may have taken longer than he hoped, but Caleb Porter will be encouraged by the performance his players gave in the Music City last weekend.
Over the past few weeks, New England have transitioned from playing with the ball at their feet to a stronger emphasis on playing out from the back and being decisive in transition.
Executing that approach effectively at home has been much more challenging for the Revs this year, losing three consecutive MLS contests at Gillette Stadium by a combined margin of 8-1.
Although there is more positivity surrounding this club at the moment, New England still have a lot of ground to make up, currently nine points below the Eastern Conference playoff line.
After 14 league fixtures this season, the Revolution have already suffered five defeats at Gillette Stadium, as many they incurred over their previous two regular seasons combined.
New England have collected three points in three of their previous four regular-season home contests versus the Red Bulls, including a 1-0 triumph in this exact fixture last year.
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Making the most of your limited possession and putting together some strong moments in your build-up play are two trademarks we often associate with Red Bull clubs, and that served the New York side well last week.
Sandro Schwarz likes his side to play with more of the ball than we have seen from this team in years past, but they have shown they still know how to withstand pressure and counter, winning three of their previous four league contests when having 40% possession or less.
Whether it is from set pieces, a strong build-up or in transition, the Red Bulls have been able to make the most of their chances, netting in all but three of their regular-season affairs this season and scoring the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference thus far (29).
If they win on Saturday, they will be on their first three-match winning streak of the year, equalling their longest run from the 2023 campaign.
The Red Bulls have won three away matches in MLS this year and can equal their total from the previous regular season with another victory this weekend.
They have only emerged victorious in one match versus New England at Gillette Stadium since 2018 but have triumphed in five of their previous six meetings against them.
Team News
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The Revs could be without Tomas Chancalay, who has a sore knee, Nacho Gil is questionable with a meniscus issue, Tommy McNamara has a hamstring strain, Peyton Miller is dealing with a foot injury and Brandon Bye continues to recover from a torn ACL.
Henry Kessler can return from his yellow card suspension, while three players will be away for the international break, Henrich Ravas (Slovakia), Noel Buck (England men's Elite League Squad) and Esmir Bajraktarevic (USA Under-23).
Carles Gil scored his team-leading fifth of the MLS campaign a week ago, with the winner coming courtesy of Bajraktarevic, his first in the league.
Cameron Harper missed the previous Red Bulls fixture with a hamstring knock, Ronald Donkor has a back issue, Roald Mitchell and Serge Ngoma have knee injuries and Peter Stroud is recovering from ankle surgery.
Four Red Bull players will be away this weekend due to the international break, as John Tolkin is with the USA Under-23 squad, Emil Forsberg was called up for Sweden, Noah Eile was named to the Swedish Under-21 side and Carlos Coronel is with Paraguay.
Tolkin scored their only goal against Orlando City, while Harper, Forsberg, Elias Manoel and Lewis Morgan each found the back of the net in a 4-2 victory over the Revs earlier this season.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Lima, Arreaga, Kessler, Jones; Kaye, Polster; Boateng, C. Gil, Borrero; Vrioni
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Meara; D. Nealis, S. Nealis, O'Connor, Duncan; Carmona, Edelman, Amaya, Manoel; Vanzeir, Morgan
We say: New England Revolution 1-1 New York Red Bulls
The Revs showed plenty of improvements against Nashville, and we believe they will carry that momentum into this match and earn a point against a side missing some quality chance creators.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
