Another instalment of the bitter New York-Boston rivalry will take place this weekend when the New England Revolution host New York City FC at Gillette Stadium in Major League Soccer action on Saturday.
The Revs are coming off a narrow 1-0 triumph over Atlanta United, moving them up to 12th in the Eastern Conference, four points below New York City, who defeated the Philadelphia Union by that same score.
Match preview
© Imago
Although they have struggled to create chances so far this year, New England have found a way to get by in recent outings by being stingier at the back.
Caleb Porter's side have won two of their last three games, conceding a goal or fewer in each of those outings, putting them five points below the Eastern Conference playoff line.
New England's expected goals of six is the lowest in Major League Soccer, while they have netted the joint fewest goals in the league alongside CF Montreal (four).
On Saturday, they can win consecutive home games in this competition for the first time since June 2024, having beaten the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in Foxborough in late March.
They have not won consecutive MLS affairs since June of last year when they reeled off four straight domestic wins to begin that month.
The Revolution have points in their last four MLS home fixtures when scoring the opening goal while winning two of their three matches played this year when drawing first blood.
© Imago
A three-match winless run ended for New York City last Saturday, with the Boys in Blue keeping the joint-highest-scoring side in the Eastern Conference off the scoresheet for 90 minutes.
That also ended their two-match losing run in this competition, and it was just their second clean sheet in league play this year.
Pascal Jansen will be seeking his first away victory as an MLS head coach this weekend, with his side losing two of their last three road fixtures domestically.
The Pigeons have collected four points this season when conceding the opening goal, three of which came in their 2-1 victory over the Revolution in March.
NYCFC are in danger of dropping points in their first five away league games to begin a season for the second time in three years, failing to win their opening 11 matches as the visitors in 2023.
They are unbeaten in their last three visits to Gillette Stadium across all competitions, eliminating the Revs in a penalty shootout on the road at the 2024 Leagues Cup.
Team News
© Imago
In their victory over Atlanta, New England were missing Wyatt Omsberg due to a sore hamstring, while Malcolm Fry and Andrew Farrell were sidelined by leg injuries.
Carles Gil converted a 36th-minute penalty to give them the victory against the Five Stripes, while Aljaz Ivacic made four stops to collect a clean sheet.
On the New York City side, Malachi Jones was sidelined last week due to a leg issue, and Jacob Arroyave did not feature because of a knee injury.
Alonso Martinez put home his fifth goal of the season last weekend, one fewer than Brian White and Tai Baribo for the MLS Golden Boot, while Matt Freese stopped three shots to collect a clean sheet.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Ceballos, Fofana, Beason; Chancalay, Polster, Gil, Yusuf, Miller; Urruti, Campana
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O'Toole; Parks, Haak; Wolf, Moralez, Fernandez; Martinez
We say: New England Revolution 1-1 New York City FC
Neither side have consistently produced convincing performances in 2025, which is why we expect a spirited affair but no one to have a decisive advantage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
