FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Eastern Conference supremacy will be on the line Saturday night when the New England Revolution host D.C. United in a top-of-the-table clash at Gillette Stadium.
A win would vault the second-place Revs (5-3-4, 19 pts.) over first-place D.C. (6-2-3, 21 pts.), with kickoff from Foxborough set for 7:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet will carry the action locally on television, while the radio call can be heard in English on 98.5 The Sports Hub and SiriusXM FC Channel 94, and Portuguese on WMVX 1570 AM.
Stay tuned to CSNNE after the game for Revolution Postgame Live hosted by Dalen Cuff and Khano Smith.
Fans attending the game are encouraged to bring new or gently used soccer equipment for donation, and those who do will receive a special autographed card featuring 2014 MLS MVP finalist Lee Nguyen. More information on the Revolution’s partnership with the U.S. Soccer Passback Program is available HERE.
Current Form: Both sides look to bounce back after lengthy unbeaten runs end
Saturday night’s combatants own the two longest unbeaten runs in MLS this season – and both had those runs snapped in their most recent outings.
The Revs saw their nine-game unbeaten streak end midweek at Sporting Park, where Sporting Kansas City stormed back from an early deficit to claim a 4-2 win. It’s a result the Revs have quickly put behind them as they focus on their next challenge and a critical meeting with D.C.
WATCH: Agudelo and Caldwell strike, but Revs fall in Kansas City
“We’re not thinking about what happened in Kansas City or what happened the week before that, or what happened in the eight games we were unbeaten before that. We’re worried about this weekend,” said Chris Tierney. “It’s a very specific challenge for us and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure we’re prepared. We have a good game plan that we’re ready to execute.”
United, meanwhile, had an eight-game unbeaten run end last weekend at PPL Park, where Zach Pfeffer’s stoppage-time strike sent D.C. to their first loss since March. Still, United’s six wins are tied for the most in MLS, and five of those wins have been by a single goal as Ben Olsen’s side has learned to grind out results.
“They’re hard to break down,” said Jay Heaps. “They defend well. They attack well. They’ve got a fight about them that’s probably not matched in the league right now. They’ve got a veteran presence and they know how to win. That’s hard to teach and they’ve got it.”
Past Meetings: MLS originals split pair of games last year, each side winning at home
It will have been almost one year to the day since the Revs and United last squared off when they meet on Saturday night, as they split a pair of meetings early in the 2014 season. United won the first contest, 2-0, at RFK Stadium in April, while the Revs responded with a 2-1 win at Gillette Stadium on May 24.
Overall the Revs have won three of the last four meetings with D.C. – all by a score of 2-1 – while they’re 6-1-1 in the last eight matchups at Gillette Stadium.
Injury Report: Dorman out through suspension, but Farrell good to go after resting midweek
Andy Dorman has appeared in each of the Revolution’s last eight games – two as a sub and six as a starter – but that streak will end on Saturday night as the central midfielder is suspended because of yellow card accumulation.
There is hope, however, that Jermaine Jones can take over for Dorman in midfield. Jones was back in central defense on Wednesday night as he deputized for Andrew Farrell, who said he’s ready to get back on the field this weekend after resting in the midst of a three-games-in-eight-days stretch.
“I’m feeling great,” said Farrell, who had played every minute of every game prior to Wednesday night. “Looking forward to hopefully getting my name called for Saturday.”
D.C. will be without a trio of potential starters as Fabian Espindola (quad), Luis Silva (hamstring) and Nick DeLeon (hamstring) are all listed as out on United’s official injury report.
Final Thoughts: Revs ready for a battle as they round out a busy week
“Being at home in front of our fans, we’re always going to be up for it,” said Tierney. “We know that D.C.’s going to be up for it, too. They’re a tough, veteran team that’s tough to play against. It’s always a tough game when you play D.C., so we’re excited for it and we’re definitely going to be up for it.”
