MLS Regular Season | Match #14
New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire FC
Saturday May 27 | 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
Look: MLS Season Pass on apple tv
– English talent: Chris Wittyngham (play-by-play), Lori Lindsey (analyst)
– Spanish Talent: Bruno Vain (play by play), Andrés Agulla (analyst)
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (English), 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
– English talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst)
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
3rd in Eastern Conference (7-3-3, 24 pts.)
Last result | 3-0 loss at Philadelphia Union
The Revs have calmed down after a red-hot start to the season, following up their eight-game unbeaten streak (5-0-3) with back-to-back losses to Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union. Those results have dropped the Revs from first to third in the Eastern Conference standings, though they remain just one point behind Nashville SC with one game remaining and could move back to second on Saturday night.
This will be the Revolution’s only home game in MLS in the month of May, as they will be back on the road next week for two more trips to visit Atlanta United FC and New York City FC. Gillette Stadium has been something of a strength for the Revs this season, as they enter the weekend unbeaten in six home games (4-0-2).
chicago fire fc
14th in Eastern Conference (3-4-6, 15 pts.)
Latest result (MLS) | 3-3 draw against Atlanta United FC
Last Result (Open Cup) | 2-0 win at Austin FC
It’s been a rocky start to the season for the Fire, who parted ways with head coach Ezra Hendrickson earlier this month and installed Frank Klopas on an interim basis for the rest of the year. Players appear to have responded to the change, as Chicago is 3-1-1 in all competitions through five games under Klopas. That includes a pair of Open Cup victories as the Fire advanced to the quarterfinals, most recently beating Austin FC, 2-0, on Wednesday night at Q2 Stadium.
In the league, Chicago earned a dramatic 3-3 draw with Atlanta last Saturday night, remaining undefeated at Soldier Field with a 2-0-6 record. However, they have lost four of their five away games, including three straight losses on their travels.
KEY PLAYERS. MAIN PLAYERS
Revolutionary midfielder Noel Buck
As the Revs have been decimated by injuries through the first half of the season, one of the few constants has been midfielder Noel Buck. The 18-year-old is one of three Revolution outfielders, along with Brandon Bye and Dave Romney, to appear in all 13 games thus far, and he’s been one of New England’s most stable players despite his relative inexperience.
Especially as the Revs continue to deal with injuries to key players, Buck’s influence in midfield could be even more important for a Revolution team looking to bounce back Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
Fire goalie Chris Brady
Chicago saw multiple high-profile departures last offseason, including teenage goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, who joined English Premier League side Chelsea last January. In his place, another teenage goalie, Chris Brady, has stepped up to start 12 of the Fire’s 13 games this season.
Brady made his MLS debut in the final game of last year’s season, earning four saves in a 1-1 draw with the Revolution. The homegrown goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets this season, and could be a key figure for Chicago on Saturday night as they aim to slow down a Revs team that is averaging two goals a game in home this season.
STATUS REPORT
Revolution
Injuries continue to be a story for the Revolution with seven players listed for Saturday night’s game: Dylan Borrero (ACL surgery), Gustavo Bou (left leg), Brandon Bye (left shoulder), Nacho Gil (right leg), Henry Kessler (hamstring surgery), Maciel (left Achilles) and Tommy McNamara (left leg). Bye’s injury occurred last weekend in Philadelphia and Bruce Arena said the Revs will evaluate the right-back “on a weekly basis.”
However, there is good news for Carles Gil, after the Revolution captain left last Saturday’s game in the first half with a right leg injury. Gil returned to full training later this week, and Arena said he is hopeful that the 2021 MLS MVP will be available for selection against Chicago. Matt Polster, who also left that game early in Philly, was fully involved in practice all week.
Fire
Chicago will be without five players Saturday night due to injuries and suspension: Jonathan Dean (upper left leg), Carlos Teran (upper right leg), Chris Mueller (upper right leg), Sergio Oregel (upper part of the right leg) and Federico Navarro. (suspension for red card).
Two additional players, Victor Bezerra (upper left leg) and Justin Reynolds (upper left leg), are listed as questionable.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING
Bruce Arena, Sports Director and Head Coach of the New England Revolution
“I think in Miami, we were pretty sloppy conceding two goals and the last game in Philly, I think the same thing. We need to be better defensively, and we also need to be a little bit better on the offensive end of the field, so to answer your question, we can be better everywhere on the field.”
Ema Boateng, New England Revolution midfielder
“Three games away from home. That was a lot and we definitely didn’t get the results we wanted, so we need to get it right this time. [We can] sleep in our own beds, train and wait for our opponents to fly here. It feels good, but we have to make it count. [We need to] look fresh, play hard and win again.”
