Revolution have three games to regain winning ways
The New England Revolution will undergo a dress rehearsal for the MLS Cup playoffs over the last three games of the regular season.
The Revolution ( 147-10) close out an arduous late-season stretch of three games in eight days when they engage Orlando City SC (16-7-9) on Saturday night (7:30) at Exploria Stadium. The Revolution are in fifth place and need to be fourth or better to secure home field in the best- of-three round one playoff series.
The Revolution were locked in a tight race with Supporters’ Shield winner FC Cincinnati over the summer months under head coach Bruce Arena, who resigned Sept. 9 while serving a team suspension pending the outcome of an MLS investigation. But the Revs lost significant ground since Labor Day weekend by going 1-2- 3 under interim coaches Richie Williams and Clint Peay.
The Revolution suffered their first home loss on Wednesday night when a goal in the 86th minute lifted the Columbus Crew to a 2-1 victory. The Crew moved past New England into fourth place.
“You want to have the right feeling going into the playoffs and feel confident about what you are doing and belief in what you are doing,” said Peay. “Feeling like no matter who you play, you’re going to be really successful.
“Putting good performances together, scoring goals, and keeping clean sheets is huge.”
The Revolution will be missing three key players going into their final road game at Nashville on Oct. 14. Dynamic right back Dejuan Jones was called up by the U. S. National Team to compete in a friendly against Germany in Hartford, Conn., on that day.
Homegrown midfielder Noel Buck of Arlington received word on Friday he had been called up to compete for England’s 19-U National Team, which will play Wales on Oct. 14. Midfielder Christian Makoun was called up by the Venezuela National Team and will compete in international matches next Thursday and Oct. 17.
“It’s a next guy up kind of thing,” said Peay. “They will be missed and are important pieces, but we will have to prepare with the guys we do have and make the most of it.”
The Revolution and Orlando City FC are a statis
tical push, with New England having played one less game. The Revolution have scored 52 goals to 50 for OCSC, but the Floridians have allowed 50 goals to 52 by New England. Both teams have a goals differential of plus 13.
Orlando City has taken
376 shots with 138 on target compared to 372 and 135 by the Revolution. Orlando City is clearly the more physical team with 69 yellow cards to 49 issued to the Revolution. The Revolution beat Orlando City 3-1 on June 17 at Gillette.