Atlanta United need at least a point this weekend to remain in the hunt for a postseason berth when they clash with the New England Revolution on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
The Revs MLS playoff hopes ended on Friday when Inter Miami edged Toronto 1-0, while the Five Stripes will be eliminated from postseason contention with a defeat on Saturday.
Match preview
© Reuters
How the mighty have fallen in New England, as the reigning Supporters' Shield champions, who set the regular-season record for points last year (72) will not heading to the postseason this time around.
For a while, it seemed as though this team had overcome the loss of several all-star players who transferred to European clubs over the off-season and summer, but Bruce Arena has seen his group sputter in the worst possible moments.
New England have conceded four goals in their last three games with fewer than 20 minutes to play, losing three consecutive encounters by a combined score of 6-2.
Over half of the tallies against them this year (28 of 48) have come in the second half, conceding an Alistair Johnston goal with fewer than 20 minutes remaining in a 1-0 defeat to CF Montreal in their last match before the international break.
The Revolution have failed to score in two of their last three matches played at Gillette Stadium, winning only one of their previous four games in Greater Boston.
They have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the second half of their matches this season, two of which came in their last visit to Atlanta this year, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
In nine previous encounters versus the Five Stripes, the Revs have triumphed just once, scoring a goal or fewer in three of their four regular season home fixtures against them.
© Reuters
Seemingly out of nowhere, Atlanta have put themselves back in the playoff mix with points in three consecutive MLS matches.
Their current three-game unbeaten run has come amid reports of dissent within the team, mainly concerning record goalscorer Josef Martinez, who was suspended for one match previously and has started on the bench in seven successive fixtures.
Despite shutting out the highest-scoring team in the league (Philadelphia Union) and failing to concede a shot on target against them, Gonzalo Pineda will see that match as a missed opportunity after Dom Dwyer could not convert an open net early in the second half.
Had that gone in, Atlanta would have leapfrogged the Columbus Crew for eighth in the Eastern Conference, as they prepare to face team that they have beaten on five occasions since entering the league.
Atlanta have won just once away from home, although one of those triumphs came in their previous road match, defeating Orlando City 1-0.
That was their sixth goal in three matches, all in the final 45 minutes, as the Five Stripes have not tallied in the opening half since a 4-1 defeat in Philadelphia at the end of August.
Team News
© Reuters
In their last encounter, Dylan Borrero made his first appearance for the Revs since July 26, Carles Gil created a team-high three chances against Montreal as he leads the league with 98 key passes this year and Giacomo Vrioni made his third appearance since returning from injury.
Matt Polster led New England in tackles won (three), duels won (five), and interceptions (three), Andrew Farrell had 11 recoveries and has a chance to make his 300th career start this weekend, while home-grown player Justin Rennicks made his first start since August 28, and the 11th of his career.
DeJuan Jones will be questionable with an upper leg problem, while Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jacob Jackson are expected to sit out with leg injuries.
Raul Gudino has back-to-back clean sheets for Atlanta, Thiago Almada had the only goal in their previous road victory against the Lions and their second-leading scorer, Ronaldo Cisneros, is without a goal in his last nine matches.
Almada had a goal and an assist in their previous meeting against the Revs this year, setting up the equaliser from Luiz Araujo just past the hour mark.
Emerson Hyndman sat out of their last match with a quad strain, Miles Robinson, Brad Guzan and Dylan Castanheira are all done for the year with Achilles injuries, while Osvaldo Alonso remains on the sidelines because of a torn ACL.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Kessler, Bell; Polster, Kaptoum; Boateng, Gil, Rennicks; Bou
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Gudino; Hernandez, Purata, Franco, Gutman; Rossetto, Sosa, Almada; Lennon, Cisneros, Araujo
We say: New England Revolution 1-1 Atlanta United
Atlanta have made a valiant effort to get themselves back into the postseason conversation, but they are a little too tentative away from home, while struggling with their composure in front of goal on the road, scoring once or fewer in 12 away matches this season.
New England look defeated at the moment, and this team have not been nearly as sharp in the final third this year, continuously relying on their goalkeeping to bail them out.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
