Toronto can end a 21-match winless run away from home in MLS play as they begin the month of March by visiting Gillette Stadium for a date with the New England Revolution on Sunday.
On matchday one of the regular season, the Revs suffered a 3-1 defeat at DC United, while TFC pulled out a 0-0 draw versus FC Cincinnati.
Match preview
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Making his regular-season coaching debut in Greater Boston, Caleb Porter saw his side struggle to contain the DC attack, losing their opening fixture for the first time since 2020 (2-1 versus CF Montreal).
Porter has not managed an MLS side since being sacked by the Columbus Crew at the end of the 2022 season, though he has a strong resume, guiding the Crew to the MLS Cup in 2020 after previously doing so as coach of the Portland Timbers in 2015.
In 2023, New England were among the best home sides in the league, winning 12 times at Gillette Stadium, tied with the Crew for the second-most MLS victories in the regular season and one fewer than Cincinnati.
Porter inherits a side that have struggled defensively in this competition, conceding in 10 successive regular season affairs dating back to the previous campaign.
The Revs are winless in their last four regular-season encounters when even or behind after 45 minutes since defeating Charlotte FC 2-1 in September of last season.
They have not lost a game at Gillette Stadium versus a Canadian opponent since September 2022, when CF Montreal beat them 1-0.
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Their MLS away winless drought remains intact, but given the Reds' struggles from 2023, a 0-0 result on matchday one must have felt like a moral victory.
TFC were the only MLS side last season that failed to win a single domestic contest away from home, and they have not found the back of the net as the visitors in eight successive regular season affairs.
Not only have they struggled to score outside BMO Field, but their defence has been especially disorganised, conceding three or more goals in four of their last five away matches in this competition.
You have to go back to August of the 2022 campaign for the last time this side won an MLS away contest (2-0 over Charlotte FC), squandering six points from winning positions on the road last year.
John Herdman is still seeking his first victory as an MLS head coach, and if he can get it this weekend, he will already surpass the number of points Terry Dunfield racked up in his 13 matches as interim boss (three) before the Englishman took charge late last season.
They have not beaten the Revs at Gillette Stadium since 2021 (3-2), losing 2-1 last season despite going in front after only 11 minutes.
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Team News
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Brandon Bye missed the opening game for the Revs with a right knee sprain, Dylan Borrero has a left knee issue and Giacomo Vrioni will be suspended for this match after receiving two cautions in the opening 25 minutes last weekend.
Former Toronto midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is eligible to return to the New England lineup after serving his one-match league suspension, while Henrich Ravas and Jonathan Mensah made their Revolution debuts.
Carles Gil scored their only goal on matchday one, while his brother Nacho Gil netted the winner in their CONCACAF Champions Cup victory over Independiente on Thursday, with Kaye and Tomas Chancalay also scoring in a 3-0 triumph as they advanced from that tie 4-0 on aggregate.
Jordan Perruzza is unlikely to play for Toronto due to a right groin strain, Deandre Kerr has a sore left calf and Nicksoen Gomis is dealing with a head injury.
Earlier this week, the Reds signed Matty Longstaff from Newcastle United to a contract through 2025 with an option for 2026, while also adding Adam Pearlman as a home-grown player last week and waiving Adama Diomande.
Sean Johnson stopped five shots to collect his first clean sheet of the domestic campaign against the reigning Supporters Shield winners.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ravas; Lima, Mensah, Romney, Jones; Polster, Buck; Harkes, C. Gil, N. Gil; Wood
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Rosted, Mabika, Petretta; Bernardeschi, Flores, Blessing, Laryea; Osorio, Insigne; Akinola
We say: New England Revolution 1-1 Toronto
Recent history suggests the Revs should win comfortably, but Toronto should gain a lot of confidence from their opening match, and they should have chances to score against a Revs defensive line who have not been much better than them.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
