Both looking to secure home-field advantage in the upcoming playoffs, New England Revolution welcome Philadelphia Union to Gillette Stadium on Decision Day in MLS this Saturday.
The Revs' spot in the post-season is secured despite a worrying run of form over the past month, while Philadelphia are aiming to continue their impressive unbeaten streak on the final day of the regular term.
Match preview
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New England Revolution suffered their third successive defeat in MLS last Sunday when a first-half capitulation gave them little chance of securing a share of the spoils against a Nashville SC side full of high-quality attacking players at GEODIS Park, with the visitors losing 3-2.
A brace from former Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge and a strike by midfielder Dax McCarty allowed Nashville to race into a three-goal lead before the half-time whistle had sounded, and despite Argentine Tomas Chancalay scoring two consolation goals in the second period, New England's poor start cost them points once again.
The Revs have now tasted victory in just one of their last seven MLS matches since a narrow 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls on August 31, and interim head coach Clint Peay is painfully aware that his men must turn around their fortunes in time to make a fist of challenging for their first-ever MLS Cup.
New England currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and know a handsome victory on Saturday evening would secure a top-four finish and home-field advantage in the playoffs, and considering Peay's side have lost just once in 16 MLS matches at Gillette Stadium, the hosts will be doing their utmost to collect maximum points this weekend.
During a season in which the Revs' defence has started to stutter, Spaniard Carles Gil has continued to be a shining light at the other end of the pitch, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 31 matches, meaning the 30-year-old leads his side in both of those attacking metrics.
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Philadelphia extended their unbeaten run in MLS to eight matches almost a fortnight ago with a goalless draw against a dangerous Nashville side at Subaru Park, where the Union saw their chances of finishing in the top two of the Eastern Conference disappear following the share of the spoils.
The Union defence did very well to keep the likes of German attacker Hany Mukhtar at bay, with Philadelphia centre-back Damion Lowe earning plenty of praise for his resolute display alongside Norwegian Jakob Glesnes at the heart of the hosts' backline.
Jim Curtin's men currently occupy third position in the Eastern Conference but are unable to overtake section pace-setters FC Cincinnati and Orlando City on Decision Day, although a positive result at Gillette Stadium would secure home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
With the futures of club captain Alejandro Bedoya and left-back Kai Wagner potentially lying elsewhere following the 2023 campaign, Philadelphia may view this term as their chance to win their first-ever MLS Cup after missing out in heartbreaking fashion last year against Los Angeles FC.
Saturday's visitors cantered to victory against New England during their clash at Subaru Park in May, with Hungarian Daniel Gazdag bagging a brace before Julian Carranza added a third late on to seal a comfortable success against a Revs side then managed by Bruce Arena.
Team News
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New England will welcome back a number of players who travelled far and wide for international fixtures this weekend, including American DeJuan Jones, who was sorely missed by Saturday's hosts as they fell to defeat at Nashville last time out.
Noel Buck is also back in America after representing England Under-19s over the past fortnight - the 18-year-old has enjoyed his maiden term of regular first-team action in 2023, featuring in 24 MLS matches in the Revolution's engine room.
The Revs are still light on options in attack due to the continued absence of Dylan Borrero, with the Colombian expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the term because of a cruciate ligament injury.
Philadelphia will be without the services of midfielder Jose Andres Martinez on Saturday night, as the 29-year-old serves a one-game suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
Curtin's options in the middle of the park have been further restricted by the ankle injury of Jesus Bueno, with the Venezuelan last featuring in his side's 3-2 win against Atlanta United on October 8.
After failing to make the net ripple last time out, there could be some changes in the visitors' forward line for their Decision Day clash, with Dane Mikael Uhre potentially partnering Carranza and top-scorer Gazdag in attack at the expense of Quinn Sullivan.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Jackson; Kessler, Gonzalez, Romney; Jones, Kaye, Polster, Boateng, Gil; Bou, Chancalay
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Harriel, Glesnes, Lowe, Wagner; Bedoya, Martinez, McGlynn; Gazdag, Carranza, Uhre
We say: New England Revolution 1-2 Philadelphia Union
New England have struggled massively with keeping the ball out of their net in recent matches, and it is hard to see Peay's men changing their ways against a Philadelphia side who arrive at Gillette Stadium in good form.
The Union's goalless draw with Nashville was labelled 'boring' by some supporters, however a Decision Day meeting with the Revs should provide some considerable attacking entertainment.
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Top tip
Carter White
