Healthy Boateng to make his sixth straight start for Revolution

New England Revolution midfielder Emmanuel Boateng has provided quality minutes while the team's growing list of injured starters is nearing a crisis stage.

Boateng became a fixture in head coach Bruce Arena's Starting XI when forward Dylan Borrero went down with a season-ending left knee injury. Borrero underwent successful surgery on his torn ACL on Monday at Mass. General Hospital in Foxboro and is expected to be out nine to 12 months.

Boateng is slated to make his sixth consecutive start when the Revolution (7- 3- 3) host the Chicago Fire (3- 4-6) on Saturday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium.

"He has done very well," said Arena. "He's stepped up for Dylan Borrero, who obviously we know is out for the year, and he's done a very good job, no question about it. His experience shows and his fitness has improved so he's really done a good job."

Striker Gustavo Bou, the team's leading scorer in 2022, center back Henry Kessler and midfielder Tommy Mcnamara have been out for an extended stretch.

The Revolution had three essential starters, team captain and playmaker Carles Gil (leg), central midfielder Matt Polster ( leg) and left back Dejuan Jones (shoulder), exit last Saturday's 3- 0 loss at Philadelphia with injuries.

Polster looks like a go for the Fire, while Gil appears probable and Jones questionable. Injuries aside, Arena is going to have to perform some serious roster shuffling because the Revolution play three games in eight days. That is a trying endeavor even when things are optimal. The Revolution play at Atlanta on Wednesday night and a matinee match at New York City FC on June 3.

"It's tough, we've had it all in between," said Boateng. "We've had guys gone for the year and guys gone for 10 days here and two weeks there.

"I know because I see it every day, that everybody is working hard to come back. Guys that are injured are getting in early and are still here working sometimes when we are leaving. They are doing everything in their power to get back.

"For us on the field, it's a mentality that coaches have to figure out with the guys that are available. It just makes the coaches job a little bit harder and they have to figure out the best way to get the most out of us."

Boateng reupped with Revolution on Feb. 24 even though Arena, in his capacity as sporting director, was adding pieces at his position in the offseason.

Boateng appeared in six games before joining the starters on April 22 in a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City at Gillette. Boateng has logged 471 minutes and has a goal and an assist with six shots and three shots on target.

Boateng is at his best on the wing in transition. Boateng has the foot speed and ball skills to get behind defenders before crossing the ball into the penalty area.

"We have a very good team here and it helps that my speed can complement it," said Boateng. "We have a lot of great players especially with our forwards and midfielders in the box.

"I try to use my speed on the flanks and give them service to create goals for the team."