One day before the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, two cities locked in brotherly arms will take to the field of battle at Gillette Stadium in a “Salute to Heroes” game night (9/10 8pm et). New York City will be making their 2nd trip up to Foxborough this season and looking for their 2nd win in New England in 2016. This is the 3rd meeting between the clubs with New England managing a draw down in NYC back in March. Both clubs have allowed a league high 47 goals against and so if there is a loser in the game they’ll have the distinction of being the leagues worst defense in all likelihood. All time head to head each club has two wins and there has been just the one draw in five game.
The Revolution snapped a six game run without a win last week when they downed the Rapids 2-0 with goals from Juan Agudelo and Chris Tierney. They also snapped what was a four game run (374 minutes) without a goal. A run that was 2nd in the league this season and 2nd in club history! The Rev’s enter the match at 7-12-9 and in 8th place in the East but still just four points out of the playoffs with six games left to play. New England needs to keep hope alive for a run and with both the attack and defense healthy they just might be able to do that. Kei Kamara is back from international duty and scoring for Sierra Leone. Joining him, making recent returns are Femi Janzen, Juan Agudelo, Je-Voughn Watson, Donnie Smith, Darious Barnes, and Teal Bunbury. With attacking options back in the fold and a new style of play implemented by coach Heaps, things are looking good. Coming of a win, a Brad Knighton save of the week, and playing home might be enough to get things turned around not only in league play but also heading into the Open Cup Championship Final in Texas on Tuesday.
New York City FC are in a much better position coming into this match. NYC sit atop the East with 44 points (12-8-8) and are a front runner for the Supporter’s Shield. They also happen to have the leagues most potent offense with 48 goals so far in 2016. Eleven of which have come from Frank Lampard, including two last week in a 3-2 win vs DC (9/1). David Villa has knocked in another seventeen goals himself and making matters worse for New England, New York happen to also have the best road record in MLS at 6-5-3. Compared to Lee Nguyen’s five goals to lead the Rev’s these are very impressive numbers to say the least.
Ref:Guzman 75 games, 23 Reds, and 16 PK’s
Yellow Card Watch-Scott Caldwell and Gershon Koffie
Rev's Blitzz 