MLS Regular Season | Match #33
New England Revolution vs. Colorado Rapids
Wednesday, October 27 | 7 p.m. ET
Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
Watch: TV38, myRITV
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (English), WBIX 1260 Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
Revolution Kickoff (6:30 p.m. ET)
- Pregame coverage on TV38
Revolution Pregame Live (6 p.m. ET)
- Facebook, YouTube, revolutionsoccer.net
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
1st in Eastern Conference (21-4-7, 70 pts.)
Supporters’ Shield Champions
Last Result | 2-2 draw at Orlando City SC
Playing a third game in nine days – and with the Supporters’ Shield already secured – Bruce Arena opted to make nine changes to the starting XI for Sunday night’s visit to Orlando City SC. Trailing 2-0 into the stages it was the substitutes who made the difference, highlighted by Adam Buksa scoring a pair of goals in the 81st and 93rd minutes to claim MLS Player of the Week honors. Fellow substitutes Gustavo Bou, Carles Gil, and DeJuan Jones all registered assists in the 2-2 draw as the Revs ran their unbeaten run to nine games (6-0-3).
With the draw New England became the third team in MLS history to reach the 70-point mark, and they enter Wednesday night’s match just two points shy of the MLS single-season points record of 72 (LAFC, 2019). Having secured homefield advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs the Revs finish the campaign 10-3-4 on the road, and their 34 points away from home are the second-most in a single season in MLS history (37, LA Galaxy; 1998).
Colorado Rapids
3rd in Western Conference (15-6-10, 55 pts.)
Last Result | 2-0 win vs. Portland Timbers
The Rapids arrive in Foxborough having already clinched their spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, but Robin Fraser’s side still have plenty to play for with top spot in the Western Conference within reach. With three games remaining Colorado are just three points back of Seattle Sounders FC for first place in the West, and the first-round bye and homefield advantage that would come with it.
Fourth in the overall MLS table, Colorado have had one of Major League Soccer’s stingiest defenses this season, conceding just 32 goals through 31 games, fourth-fewest league-wide. Their six losses, meanwhile, are third-fewest in MLS behind only the Revs and Nashville SC (four apiece).
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution forward Gustavo Bou
At this stage of the season it’s tough to highlight any single Revolution player, as the club has received consistent contributions from top to bottom. Adam Buksa (16 goals) has catapulted himself into the MLS Golden Boot race with eight goals in his last nine appearances, Carles Gil is one assist shy of matching the Revs’ single-season record (19, Steve Ralston), and several others have stepped into starring roles from game to game.
But perhaps the hottest player at the moment is Gustavo Bou, who has registered at least one goal or one assist in six consecutive appearances, totaling three goals and five assists in that stretch. Bou’s combined goal and assist total of 24 (15 goals, nine assists) is tied with Sporting KC’s Dániel Sallói for tops in MLS.
Rapids midfielder Jack Price
Colorado’s 45 goals this season have been spread amongst 17 different goal scorers, but it’s a player who hasn’t scored a goal that may just be the key to their attack. Jack Price has racked up 12 assists on the season – third-most in MLS and a career high for the 28-year-old central midfielder – and the Rapids have often relied on his playmaking, going 7-1-3 when he registers an assist.
Revolution fans may best remember Price from March 10, 2018, when Matt Turner made his Gillette Stadium debut and saved Price’s second-half penalty en route to a 2-1 New England victory. More than three-and-a-half years ago, that was the Rapids’ most recent visit to Foxborough.
STATUS REPORT
Revolution
Wednesday night’s game will be the Revolution’s fourth in a span of 12 days, but heavy rotation – including the aforementioned nine changes to the starting XI for Sunday night’s visit to Orlando – has kept the players somewhat fresh during a hectic part of the schedule.
For the fourth straight game the Revs boast a fully healthy squad, while central midfielder Matt Polster is eligible to return on Wednesday after serving a one-game suspension during Sunday’s draw.
Rapids
Player availability information for the Colorado Rapids was not available.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
New England Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena
“Well, I don't think when we started the season our expectations were to win the Supporters' Shield and accomplish what we've accomplished. So, a lot of credit to the players and the coaches. And, obviously at this point, I believe we only have one goal left and we're going to try to win an MLS Cup. And I know from experience that it's not easy, but that's how we'll prepare our team over the next month to get ready to do well in MLS Cup.”
New England Revolution defender A.J. DeLaGarza
“We know now what it takes to be Supporters' Shield winners and how long of a season it's been and we're not ready to just shut down now. So, we have two games left and there's some things we need to work on and clean up. And then the playoffs, we know, is the ultimate goal for every team. You can win a Supporters' Shield and go out in the first round and you won't be remembered. So, you have to now put the whole season together into the playoffs and come home with the MLS Cup if you want to be remembered as one of the best teams ever.”
