FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – There’s been no shortage of offense at BMO Field this season – particularly in recent weeks – as a total of 34 goals have been scored in Toronto FC’s last six home games in all competitions, an average of 5.67 goals per game.
That breaks down to 18 goals scored for TFC and 16 conceded, which follows season-long trends for the defending MLS Cup champs, who have Major League Soccer’s seventh-best attack (50 goals scored) but fourth-worst defense (57 goals allowed).
Another wide open showdown may well be on tap this Saturday night when the New England Revolution visit BMO Field, as contrasting styles could be the recipe for a bevy of scoring chances.
TFC are a side that like to build through possession, working from back to front while keeping the ball on the ground as often as possible. New England, meanwhile, are a high-pressing team that will aim to put Toronto’s defenders and midfielders under pressure in dangerous areas as often as possible.
Should the Revs manage to force turnovers in those areas consistently, they’ll give themselves plenty of chances to hit the hosts on the counter, quickly and ruthlessly.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting one,” head coach Brad Friedel said of Saturday night’s game. “We need to win. They need to win. They’re in a little bit more of a desperate situation than we are, but both teams are going to want to attack.
“Again, (there are) no secrets; they’re going to want to pass, we’re going to want to press, and I think there’s going to be a lot of chances … Hopefully we can get off to a good start like we did at home against them.”
The start that Friedel refers to was in the Revs’ 3-2 win over TFC back on May 12 at Gillette Stadium, where Cristian Penilla recorded the fastest brace in Revolution history by scoring in the fourth and seventh minutes to stake New England to an early 2-0 lead.
Both of those goals were scored by the Revolution pressing high and forcing turnovers in attacking areas; Scott Caldwell intercepted a pass to help Teal Bunbury set up Penilla for the first goal, while Penilla himself forced a turnover before finishing again just minutes later.
New England will aim to replicate that kind of success at BMO Field this weekend, as the Revs know that three points are almost a necessity to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“I think it suits our style,” Bunbury said of TFC’s propensity to build from the back. “They’re comfortable on the ball, but we enjoy being able to press teams. They’re going to be playing at home, so they’re going to feel even more comfortable.
“We just have to make sure that we’re taking our chances and we have to try to drive the game, because we need to go in there and get three points. We can’t be complacent. It’s going to be a really good matchup.”
