For the first time since 2019, the New England Revolution will meet the Los Angeles Galaxy at Gillette Stadium in a match with huge implications in the 2022 Major League Soccer playoff picture for both teams.
The Revs are a point back of the Columbus Crew for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after dropping a 4-0 decision at CF Montreal last weekend, while the Galaxy are in the last postseason position out West after drawing the Seattle Sounders 3-3.
Match preview
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Fresh off their worst regular season defeat since 2019, it is back to business for Bruce Arena and the Revs, who have no time to dwell on their performance in Montreal.
Navigating through the Eastern Conference in 2022 has not been smooth for this squad, who have been fighting tooth and nail to claim a playoff berth for a fourth successive campaign.
Coming into this critical encounter, New England have put together an impressive unbeaten run at home of 10 straight matches in all competitions, with their last defeat at Gillette Stadium coming against the New York Red Bulls on April 2 (1-0).
The Revs have looked composed and smart defensively on their home soil this year, conceding a goal or fewer in nine MLS fixtures played in Greater Boston.
New England have rarely been at full strength this season with the injury bug hittng them early and often, forcing Arena to dig deep into the depth chart, while also rotating the lineup quite a bit.
Five of their final eight games of 2022 will be at Gillette Stadium, including the next three, which could be pivotal to their playoff chances.
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They never seem to make it easy on themselves, but the Galaxy still earned a valuable point last Friday against a side right on their heels in the Western Conference playoff race.
An injury-time penalty helped LA extend their unbeaten run to four straight matches in all competitions, though Greg Vanney knows it was an opportunity missed as they had the Sounders in a 2-0 hole at the half.
Their quality in the attack has been revived this month with 10 goals in their last three MLS affairs after ending July by failing to score in two of their final three matches.
The Galaxy have lost four consecutive domestic road fixtures, with their last victory coming at the start of May 1-0 over Austin FC.
Inconsistencies along the backline have set them back all season, as LA have conceded three or more goals in eight fixtures this year.
Their schedule down the stretch is somewhat favourable as seven of their final nine fixtures are against non-playoff teams, including one match versus each of the bottom three sides in the Western Conference.
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Team News
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Esmir Bajraktarevic made his first career MLS start for New England last weekend, Tommy McNamara appeared in his 200th regular season affair, Matt Polster earned his 125th regular season cap and Emmanuel Boateng came on as a substitute, leading the Revs with four possessions won in the final third.
Nacho Gil, the younger brother of Revs midfielder and reigning league MVP Carles Gil is looking to make his first appearance with New England having signed with the club earlier this month.
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has posted back-to-back clean sheets at home, stopping three shots in a 1-0 victory over DC United in the middle of the month.
There is a common issue among most of the wounded Revs players at the moment as Wilfrid Kaptoum, Dylan Borrero, Maciel, Gustavo Bou, Giacomo Vrioni and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi are all questionable with leg injuries.
Jacob Jackson is unavailable for the same reason, while Henry Kessler may have to sit out again because of health and safety protocols.
A 92nd-minute penaly converted by Dejan Joveljic last weekend helped the Galaxy rescue a point against the Sounders, Victor Vazquez notched his second goal of the campaign and Chicharito scored for the third match running, as he now has 11 strikes on the season.
Mark Delgado picked up his first assist of 2022, while Kevin Cabral set up his third goal of the season, moving into a tie for first on the team alongside Efrain Alvarez, Joveljic, Raheem Edwards, Samuel Grandsir and Julian Araujo.
Derrick Williams remains out for personal reasons, Jonathan Perez has a knee injury and Jorge Villafana has a problem with his left knee.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Spaulding, Bell, Farrell, Bye; McNamara, Polster, Rivera; Bajraktarevic, C. Gil; Rennicks
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, Coulibaly, DePuy, Edwards; Cabral, Delgado, Puig, Grandsir, Kljestan; Chicharito
We say: New England Revolution 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
The Galaxy are having a hard time containing opposing attacks on the road, while the Revs have thrived at home, while also being aided by some splendid goalkeeping which should carry them through this game.
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