Last season's Supporters' Shield winners, the New England Revolution, will end this month in search of their first win since late June when they host a rejuvenated Toronto side at Gillette Stadium this weekend.
The Revs sit two points back of a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, while the Reds ended a five-match winless run in league play a week ago, thanks to an emphatic 4-0 victory at home to Charlotte FC.
Match preview
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A year on from their best regular season in club history, the 2022 campaign has been anything but smooth sailing for New England, who have already lost two more games than they did in 2021.
Goalkeeping played a big part in their success a year ago, allowing them to hang around in numerous matches, and that remains the case this season, but the attack is not stepping up quite as much, notching a goal or fewer in back-to-back games.
Bruce Arena's men have not figured out how to maintain second-half advantages, squandering 16 points this season when leading after the interval.
They come into this encounter unbeaten in their last seven MLS fixtures played in Greater Boston, where the Revs have scored multiple goals on five occasions.
There is no shortage of quality in the midfield or at striker on this team, but they continue to be held back by poor defending, allowing a combined 24 efforts on target in their last three matches.
Like their opponents this weekend, the Revs are crossing their fingers that a new recruit from Serie A can be that missing ingredient which can propel them into a playoff position.
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It is incredible what kind of difference a few new faces can make to a team's overall performance, and Toronto fans got a first-hand look at what their newcomers are capable of a week ago.
Bob Bradley has not had much to smile about this season, but the Reds boss could not hide his joy on the sidelines as his team looked spectacular throughout the opening 45 minutes against Charlotte in what was easily their most complete performance of the campaign.
While their ball movement and combination play was exquisite, what will please Bradley the most is probably the clean sheet which they earned, their first in 302 days in league play, ending the third-longest streak in MLS history.
Unfortunately, they failed to keep those good times rolling in midweek, losing the Canadian Championship on penalties against the Vancouver Whitecaps, despite having 72% of the possession and putting together nearly 700 passes.
With only 12 games left to play, the Reds are getting close to must-win territory in the playoff chase, trailing FC Cincinnati by six points for the final spot but with six teams to catch.
If they want to climb back into the playoff conversation, Toronto will need to generate more chances in the attacking third away from home, going goalless in five of their last six MLS road games, having been shut out in their previous three.
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Team News
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Revs keeper Djordje Petrovic bailed out his side countless times last weekend, making six saves to collect his second clean sheet in a 0-0 draw versus the Columbus Crew, Carles Gil surpassed 7,500 MLS minutes played in that match, and their newest acquisition, striker Giacomo Vrioni - who transferred from Juventus - made his debut, replacing Arnor Ingvi Traustason in the 67th minute.
Andrew Farrell led New England in clearances against the Crew (six), and Henry Kessler won a team-leading three tackles.
Former Toronto striker Jozy Altidore had a team-high in duels and aerial duels won, finishing with seven and three respectively, but he is off to Mexico, having been loaned to Puebla in Liga MX for the remainder of the campaign.
Jacob Jackson is out for the Revolution with a leg injury, while Gustavo Bou and Dylan Borrero will both be questionable after previously suffering knocks.
Federico Bernardeschi tallied his first goal and assist of the year for Toronto in their lopsided win against Charlotte, with Michael Bradley notching a brace.
Mark-Anthony Kaye collected his first assist with the Reds, and Lorenzo Insigne assisted on the fourth Toronto goal just before half time.
Jonathan Osorio notched the opener, his sixth of the campaign, moving him to within two of team leader Jesus Jimenez, while Alex Bono made five saves for the shutout.
Noble Okello, Quentin Westberg and Chris Mavinga are all out with lower body injuries, while Lukas MacNaughton tallied the equaliser at the Canadian Championship, which the Reds lost when Osorio was the only player to miss from the penalty spot.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Jones, Kessler, Farrell, DeLaGarza; Polster, Maciel; Boateng, Gil, Lletget; Vrioni
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Bono; Criscito, MacNaughton, Henry, Marshall-Rutty; Nelson, Bradley, Osorio; Insigne, Jimenez, Bernardeschi
We say: New England Revolution 2-3 Toronto
Neither of these sides have shown they are stingy defensively, and with the attacking quality they each have, we could be in for an offensive showcase.
The Reds will have the edge just because of the team's energy and enthusiasm, as there appears to be a lot more belief in Toronto right now than there is in New England.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
