New England Revolution welcome Houston Dynamo to Gillette Stadium this weekend in the second round of the 2023 Major League Soccer season.
The Revs claimed a 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC in their opening game, while Houston suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of FC Cincinnati.
Match preview
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Having struggled for consistency throughout the 2022 MLS campaign – finishing six points shy of the playoff places in the Eastern Conference – New England Revolution would have been eager to kick-start the new season on a positive note.
By their own high standards, the 2021 Supporters' Shield winners endured a below-par campaign last year, but they managed to start the new season with a 1-0 win at Charlotte FC.
Centre-back Henry Kessler scored the only goal of the game at Bank of America Stadium, surging forward before slotting the ball past Charlotte goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega in the 89th minute.
Although the hosts enjoyed the lion's share of possession last weekend, the Revs managed to register 15 shots on their travels, so they will be confident of creating even more goalscoring chances on home soil.
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Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo lost 2-1 at FC Cincinnati in their season opener, although the Texas outfit will be disappointed to have left Ohio with nothing to show for their efforts after dominating large spells of the contest.
In addition to racking up 19 shots at TQL Stadium, the Dynamo finished the game with 63% possession, but Obinna Nwobodo cancelled out Tate Schmitt's equaliser three minutes into the second half.
It remains to be seen how Houston will fare under new boss Ben Olsen, who spent the best part of a decade managing DC United before departing the club in 2020, but the early signs appear to be promising.
The two-time MLS Cup champions have only made the playoffs once in the past nine seasons, finishing second from bottom in the Western Conference in 2021 and 2022, so Olsen will be desperate to transform Houston's fortunes.
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Team News
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New England's lengthy injury list features Andrew Farrell (leg), Maciel (Achilles), Nacho Gil (leg), Tommy McNamara (leg) and Jacob Jackson (ACL), while Gustavo Bou is a doubt for this weekend.
Giacomo Vrioni made his Revs debut last weekend following his move from Juventus, and the Albania international is expected to lead the line for the hosts once again, with playmaker Carles Gil operating behind the new striker.
As for Houston, they will be without injured left-back Brad Smith (knee) for the trip to New England, meaning that the Liverpool academy product will have to wait to make his debut for his new club.
Fellow newcomers Ifunanyachi Achara and Djevencio van der Kust are also expected to miss this weekend's clash due to administrative issues, so Olsen could name the same starting XI for the second week running.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Kessler, Romney, Jones; Buck, Polster; Rivera, Gil, Borrero; Vrioni
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Escobar, Bartlow, Hadebe, Schmitt; Artur, Herrara; Baird, Carrasquilla, France; Ferreira
We say: New England Revolution 2-1 Houston Dynamo
Having ground out a hard-fought victory over Charlotte FC last weekend, New England Revolution look set to secure back-to-back wins at the expense of Houston Dynamo, although the visitors are expected to put up a decent fight.
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