The Revolution are back in action after a 15-day break, continuing their four-game homestand on Alumni Night at Gillette Stadium, where they’ll host D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday evening.
WHERE TO WATCH
Revs games are available for streaming with MLS season Pass on Apple TV in over 100 countries.
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Apple TV English Talent: Mark Followill (Play-by-Play), Warren Barton (Analyst)
Apple TV Spanish Talent: Raul Guzman (Play-by-Play), Ashley Gonzalez (Analyst)
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM); Más Latino 99.9 FM / 1300 AM (Spanish); 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
English Radio Talent: Brad Feldman (Play-by-Play), Charlie Davies (Analyst)
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
11th in Eastern Conference (6-11-7, 25 pts.)
Last Result | 3-1 loss vs. CF Montréal
After a welcomed bye weekend following six fixtures in July, the Revolution host their third of a four-game homestand against D.C. United. The Revs visited D.C. earlier this season, taking a single point in a 1-1 draw at the end of May. As New England are winless in their last nine games, they will be on the hunt for three crucial points while they chase playoff possibilities. With just 10 games left on the schedule, every point is massive.
The Revolution welcome a familiar face back to Gillette Stadium as goalkeeper Matt Turner will be available for the first time since re-signing with New England last week. While Turner will be the only alumni potentially taking the pitch on Saturday night, plenty of other familiar faces will be in attendance to celebrate Revolution Alumni Night. Fans will have a chance to meet some of the greats before the game (TICKETS) and honor their contributions to the club during halftime.
D.C. United
14th in Eastern Conference (4-14-7, 19 pts.)
Last Result | 4-2 loss vs. Austin FC
D.C. United have struggled to find wins this season. Sitting just above the bottom spot of the Eastern Conference table, D.C. have gone eight straight games without a three-point result. The Black-and-Red currently own a league-worst -27 goal differential, with 22 goals for and 49 against. With only two road wins so far this season, D.C. will be fighting for points at Gillette Stadium.
Since parting ways with head coach Troy Lesesne in early July, D.C. have named René Weiler head coach. Although Weiler has yet to coach a game, the Black-and-Red will hope to find some momentum during the shift.
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution defender Brayan Ceballos
Ceballos is returning to the Revolution back line after a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. As he returns to the defensive lineup, Ceballos will be integral as New England look to regain strong defensive form.
The defender scored his first MLS goal earlier this season against Nashville SC, and boasts a total of 32 blocks and 16 blocked shots. As the Revolution look to slow down D.C.’s ever-dangerous Benteke, Ceballos will be an important part of the defense.
D.C. United forward Christian Benteke
The Revolution have yet to face the attacking threat of Christian Benteke this season, as he was sidelined with injury when they first faced off earlier this season. The forward leads the scoring for D.C. with eight goals and one assist to his tally.
Last season, Benteke was named to the MLS Best XI and scored four goals in two matches against New England, part of his Golden Boot-winning 23 total goals. With an impressive 11.66 xG this season, he remains a dangerous piece of D.C.’s attack.
HEAR FROM THE REVS
Head coach Caleb Porter on improving the team’s form at home:
“I agree with [Sporting Director] Curt [Onalfo] 100 percent, we have to be [better]. The results don’t lie. Results at home haven’t been good enough. I feel like we’ve played well and we’ve been in positions to win at home a lot of times, we just haven’t gotten it done. For me, it’s less about what we’re going to do to start the game. Again, we’ve shown most games, not every game, that the guys are prepared, they’re ready mentally, and they’re organized. But when the game changes, adjustments happen, and goals happen, what is our mentality like from there and handling the ups and downs of a soccer game. So, that’s going to be the key is having a 90-plus minute performance. I’ve said it, in most games we’re in good positions to score and the opponent isn’t in a ton of positions to score. That’s what you want. But in the end, it’s going to come down to those moments and the players making plays in the boxes on both sides of the ball.”
Midfielder Matt Polster on what the team focused on this week in preparing for Saturday’s match:
“We focused a lot on ourselves. Again, we have 10 games to go where if we can just hone in on what we’re really good at and focus on those things, I think we still have a lot of talent in this team and a lot of experience. Yes, again, it’s been a tough season, but we have 10 games to go, we need to stick together, and we have an opportunity still to make playoffs.”
