The New England Revolution and its supporters often refer to Gillette Stadium as Fortress Foxborough, as it’s been identified as a notoriously difficult venue for away teams.
But that reputation could go through the ringer Saturday evening as the Revolution (3-2-2, 11 points) host Sporting Kansas City (5-1-2, 17 points), the Western Conference leaders.
Sporting KC has shown it’s unafraid of any team so far this season; the team is unbeaten in its last seven games and has yet to lose on the road. SKC conquered the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy, showed it’s capable of rallying from deficits, and has scored more goals (20) than any team in Major League Soccer.
Though the Revolution are in the thick of one of their best starts to a new campaign, Saturday’s contest against Sporting will be a true reality check.
After losing their first home game of the season against FC Dallas on April 14 and rallying for a comeback in exciting 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew SC last weekend, the Revs face one of the league’s deepest and well-rounded teams in Sporting as they look to get back to winning ways.
Players to watch
The Revolution may not have the league’s best offense, but they’ve nevertheless shown they’re capable of generating chances and scoring goals.
Defending is another story. New England has been shaky at the back at times, even if they’re defensive record doesn’t show it.
New England’s back line has been bailed out time and again this season by upstart goalkeeper Matt Turner, who will likely get the starting nod on Saturday evening for the eighth consecutive time this season.
Turner has demonstrated he’s an adept shot-stopper and particularly good at reading his box – he has 25 saves on the season (including one off a penalty kick), the fifth-most in MLS, and has helped the Revolution notch two clean sheets.
The 23-year old goalkeeper will need to be on his game again and help keep defenders in front of him organized as they take on the best offense in the league.
For Sporting KC, the player to watch is Roger Espinoza. Though he has yet to score this season, the Honduran has shown he’s one of best creators on his team, if not in all of MLS.
Espinoza has five assists on the year, which is tied for the most in the league.
Head to Head
The Revolution are 17-25-11 all-time against Sporting Kansas City.
Kansas City defeated New England 3-1 in the teams’ last meeting, which came on September 16, 2017. Teal Bunbury scored the Revs’ lone goal before the hosts scored three unanswered via Gerso Fernandes and a brace from Diego Rubio.
That game was arguably the lowest point of the 2017 Revolution season. It was former head coach Jay Heaps’ last game in charge before he was fired and came on the heels of a 7-0 loss to Atlanta United, still the worst-recorded loss in MLS history.
Probable starters
New England Revolution: GK – Matt Turner; D – Andrew Farrell, Claude Dielna, Jalil Anibaba, Gabriel Somi; M – Scott Caldwell, Luis Caicedo, Wilfried Zahibo, Diego Fagundez, Cristian Penilla; F – Teal Bunbury
Sporting Kansas City: GK – Tim Melia; D – Graham Zusi, Emiliano Amor, Matt Besler, Jimmy Medranda; M – Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Yohan Croizet; F – Khiry Shelton, Daniel Salloi, Johnny Russell
Match Information
Expected kick-off: 7:30 p.m. EST
Broadcast: MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada) · myTV38 · FOX Sports KC Plus · FOX Sports Midwest Plus
Officials: Referee: Dave Gantar; Assistant Referees: Philippe Briere, Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho; 4th Official: Drew Fischer; VAR: Geoff Gamble
Forecast: 64°, sunny skies