THE BASICS
MLS is Back Tournament
Round of 16
New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union
Saturday, July 25 | 10:30 p.m.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex | Orlando, Florida
Predicted Weather: Scattered thunderstorms | High 90 | Low 77
MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT
After a four-month hiatus from league play, Major League Soccer has returned with the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando. Each of the 24 competing teams played three group-stage matches that also counted towards the regular-season standings, and now the 16 sides that have reached the knockout stage will vie to be crowned champions, earning a berth to the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.
To add extra incentive, the players will also be contesting for a piece of a $1.1 million pool of prize money based on results.
The stage has been set for the Round of 16, and the New England Revolution (1-0-2, 5 pts., 2nd in Group C) will square off against Eastern Conference foes the Philadelphia Union (2-0-1, 7 pts., 2nd in Group A). The winner will book a one-way ticket to the quarterfinals and a match to be played on Thursday, July 30.
Following the quarterfinals, the winners will advance to compete for an opportunity to vie for the title in the semifinals and final.
ROUND OF 16 MATCHUP
New England and Philadelphia head into Saturday night's showdown for a winner-takes-all match to advance to the MLS is Back Tournament quarterfinals. Both teams finished second in their respective team's group based on tiebreakers. The Revs enter this game with a 1-0-2 record in the tournament (5 points), while Philadelphia are 2-0-1 (7 points).
If after 90 minutes the two sides finish in a draw, penalty kicks would be the ultimate deciding factor as to who would advance - there will be no extra time played in this competition. With all that's on the line, this will be a must-watch game.
RECENT FORM VS. PHILADELPHIA UNION
The New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union will meet on Saturday night for a do-or-die game in the knockout stage of the MLS is Back Tournament.
Last season, these two sides squared off only once while New England was under the leadership of head coach Bruce Arena, playing to a 1-1 draw in June at Gillette Stadium. Looking back, the Revs have won just once in their past 10 matches against the Union (1-7-2).
These two teams have not met in the MLS Cup Playoffs, but they did face off in two knockout matches in the U.S. Open Cup. The Revs fell to the Union in the first meeting in the 2014 quarterfinals (0-2), but they returned the favor in the 2016 quarters, advancing on penalty kicks.
The Revs will look to take advantage of this winner-takes-all round and extend their three-game tournament unbeaten streak (1-0-2) against the Union on Saturday.
Overall Record vs. Philadelphia Union: 6-14-5
Last Meeting at Gillette Stadium: Revs 1, Union 1 (June 26, 2019)
Last Meeting at Subaru Park: Union 6, Revs 1 (May 4, 2019)
HOW TO TUNE IN
WATCH
National TV: ESPN2 (English) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
LISTEN
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
REVOLUTION LIVE PRESENTED BY DAN O'BRIEN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (July 25, 4 p.m.)
Elizabeth Pehota and Jeff Lemieux will break down all the storylines on Revolution Live presented by Dan O'Brien Automotive Group, available live at 4 p.m. Saturday evening on the Revolution’s official Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels as well as www.revolutionsoccer.net.
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH PRESENTED BY DAN O'BRIEN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (July 27, 11 a.m.)
Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies will host the fourth installment of a new online, call-in talk show recapping the previous match. The show, available live at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 27 on the Revolution's social channels, will feature in-depth analysis and commentary, while callers can voice their opinions and ask questions by calling in at 855-728-7500.
RELATED NEWS
WATCH: Training Report | Revs, Union set to clash in Saturday night knockout
READ: Preview | It's win or go home as Revs battle Union in Round of 16
PHOTOS: Rain and shine, Revs prep for do-or-die match vs. Philadelphia
WATCH: Arena on how to beat the Union | "Score more goals than they do"
WATCH: Bou on Rd of 16 showdown | "We know we have a big game Saturday"
WATCH: Turner | "It's been a total team commitment to defending"
WATCH: Outside the Booth | Brad and CD9 look ahead to Round of 16
WATCH: Training Vision presented by Shields | Focus on Philly
READ: Revs to face Union in Round of 16 (Saturday, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2)
READ: Keep it Clean | Revs concede just one goal in group stage
READ: Depth on Display | Revs use 19 players in unbeaten group stage
WATCH: Postgame Sound | Farrell and Rowe react to 0-0 draw with TFC
WATCH: Arena | Revs put together "a really good effort in group play"
WATCH: Highlights | Revs earn hard-fought point with another shutout
READ: Recap | 0-0 draw with Toronto FC clinches Revs' spot in Round of 16
SHOW YOUR COLORS
Saturday night's match will feature "The Original," New England's brand new primary kit designed as a nod to the club's original 1996 look, as Major League Soccer and the Revs continue their milestone 25th season.
The sleek white stripe across the jersey echoes the angled stripes across the '96 kit, while the blue top is complemented by red shorts similar to those worn by the Revolution's first-ever squad.
You can own "The Original" by ordering online HERE.
