Bottom placed New England Revolution welcome New York Red Bulls in MLS this weekend.
After a challenging start to the season, New England Revolution showed signs of resurgence with a crucial 2-1 victory over Nashville SC last weekend. Despite this win, the Revolution remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Caleb Porter’s side has struggled at home, losing their last three matches at Gillette Stadium by a combined score of 8-1.
In their last four regular-season home games against the Red Bulls, New England Revolutions have won three, including a 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last year. However, they have already matched their home defeat total from the past two seasons combined, losing five times at Gillette Stadium this year.
The New York Red Bulls come into this match in strong form, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference following a narrow 1-0 win over Orlando City. Sandro Schwarz’s team has adapted a more possession-oriented style this season, but they have also shown resilience, effectively countering and taking advantage of set pieces and transitional play.
The Red Bulls have demonstrated their ability to capitalise on limited possession, winning three of their last four matches despite having 40% possession or less. This efficiency has been key to their success, and they have scored the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference this season (29).
Victory on Saturday would see the Red Bulls secure their first three-match winning streak of the season, matching their longest run from the 2023 campaign. They have been strong on the road this year, with three away wins in MLS, and another victory would equal their away win total from last season.
Historically, the Red Bulls have struggled at Gillette Stadium, with only one win there since 2018. However, they have dominated recent encounters, winning five of their last six meetings with the Revolution. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly charged clash.
Team News & Tactics
New England Revolution
The Revolution have been transitioning to a strategy that emphasises playing out from the back and being decisive in their transitions. This approach showed promise against Nashville, and Caleb Porter will be hoping to build on that momentum against the Red Bulls. However, the Revolution have a lot of ground to make up as they sit nine points below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference.
The home side will be aiming to win back-to-back MLS games for the first time this season. However, they are hampered by injuries and absences. Tomas Chancalay, with a sore knee, and Nacho Gil, dealing with a meniscus issue, are both questionable.
Tommy McNamara is out with a hamstring strain, Peyton Miller is managing a foot injury, and Brandon Bye continues his recovery from a torn ACL. On a brighter note, Henry Kessler returns from suspension, providing much-needed reinforcement in defence.
However, the Revolution will also miss three key players due to international duty: Henrich Ravas (Slovakia), Noel Buck (England Men’s Elite League Squad), and Esmir Bajraktarevic (USA Under-23), the latter having scored the decisive goal in their recent win against Nashville SC.
New England Revolutions are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against New York Red Bulls, with Aljaz Ivacic in goal. He should be protected by the quartet of Nick Lima, Xavier Arreaga, Henry Kessler, and DeJuan Jones.
Mark-Anthony Kaye and Matt Polster should hold the fort in midfield, freeing up Emmanuel Boateng, Carles Gil and Dylan Borrero for offensive duties. Giacomo Vrioni should retain his spot upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ivacic; Lima, Arreaga, Kessler, Jones; Kaye, Polster; Boateng, Gil, Borrero; Vrioni
New York Red Bulls
On the New York Red Bulls’ side, Cameron Harper missed the last match with a hamstring issue, Ronald Donkor is out with a back problem, and both Roald Mitchell and Serge Ngoma are sidelined with knee injuries.
Peter Stroud is recovering from ankle surgery. Additionally, the New York Red Bulls will be without John Tolkin, Emil Forsberg, Noah Eile, and Carlos Coronel, who are away on international duty.
A traditional 4-4-2 formations apepars to be the solution for New York’s missing numbers with Ryan Meara in goal. He should be protected by the backline of Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, Aidan O’Connor and Kyle Duncan.
Daniel Edelman and Frankie Amaya should start in central midfield, freeing up Wikelman Carmona and Elias Manoel to provide the width. Dante Vanzeir and Lewis Morgan should start upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Meara; Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, O’Connor, Duncan; Carmona, Edelman, Amaya, Manoel; Vanzeir, Morgan
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- A win this weekend will see New England Revolution pick up consecutive victories for the first time this season.
- Only Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake have outscored NY Red Bulls in the league this season.
- With 11 goals scored, New England have the poorest attack in MLS this season.
- NY Red Bulls have won at the Gillette Stadium just once since 2018.
Player to Watch
Carles Gil
Scoring goals has been a major issue for New England this season and they have just 11 to their name so far, the poorest retur of any MLS side this season by a considerable margin.
Gil has been one of their better player, bagging five goals and one assist in 14 games so far. He will once again be called upon to make a difference against a formidable New York Red Bulls side that is missing several players.
Capable of playing in a plethora of positions in attack, Gil is a difficult player to keep track of. NY Red Bulls do not have the meanest defence and could leave space open for the Spaniard to take advantage of.
Prediction
New England Revolution 1-1 New York Red Bulls
While New England can take heart from their win over Nashville, New York Red Bulls will have to compensate for the absence of several; key players. This more or less evens the playing field, making a stalemate the most likely outcome.