New England Revolution are set to host Atlanta United at the Gillette Stadium on Wednesday in an Eastern Conference MLS clash that could be pivotal for each side in their quest to qualify for the MLS Cup.
The home team are 14th in their conference with 19 points, while the visitors are ninth with 24 points and occupy the division's final MLS Cup playoff spot.
Match preview
The hosts will be very disappointed with their season considering that last term they finished fifth with 55 points, the joint third-highest points total in their MLS history.
Indeed, their current average of 1.06 points per game is their lowest return since 2012, when they finished ninth with a goal difference of minus five.
This season, New England have scored just 18 goals, conceded 35 times, and their minus 17 goal difference is the worst in the Eastern Conference.
In fact, only San Jose Earthquakes have a worse record in either conference with minus 25.
Having said that, although New England are second last they will at least be relieved that they have two games in hand on every team above them other than fourth-placed Columbus Crew.
Additionally, they are only five points from opponents Atlanta with two games in hand while also boasting four wins in their last five MLS matches, the joint-best form in the Eastern Conference.
It should be noted though that New England did lose 5-1 last time out on Sunday against reigning champions Columbus Crew.
Two-time MLS Cup winning manager Caleb Porter took charge of the club in December 2023 in time for the current season, and given his successful track record he will hope that New England's good form signals the start of sustained improvement rather than simply being a lone period of strong results.
As for their home form, Porter has overseen two wins in his last three home MLS matches, but prior to this he had led his side to five defeats in seven fixtures at the Gillette Stadium.
Meanwhile, opposition interim manager Rob Valentino has at least managed to bring some stability to his side in MLS by leading them to two wins and two draws in his four games in charge since being appointed on June 3.
Prior to his appointment, Atlanta had won just once in 11 games and had lost six times in that period.
The Five Stripes are on course to record roughly 41 points this season, and this would be significantly fewer than the 51 they achieved in 2023.
Having said that, Atlanta still occupy the conference's final MLS Cup playoff spot and are level on points with a game in hand on eighth-placed Toronto, who occupy the division's other MLS Cup playoff position.
Their defensive record is fairly strong considering their placement in the conference, with only Charlotte, Cincinnati and Columbus Crew having conceded fewer than their record of 25 goals.
As for Atlanta's away form, they are unbeaten on the road in MLS under Valentino, having drawn and won once in his two away games, but prior to this they had only won once in 13 games and just five times in 41 matches.
Team News
The hosts have a number of absentees to contend with, including playmaker Carles Gil due to a leg injury, and this is a major blow considering he has been directly involved in seven of their last nine goals.
Winger Dylan Borrero is also out with a hip injury until late July, while forward Nacho Gil is still struggling with a knee issue and is not expected back until mid-July.
Tomas Chancalay is unavailable as a result of knee injury and is not likely to feature until the middle of this month.
To add to this, defender Peyton Miller is absent due to a thigh problem while midfielder Thomas McNamara is out due to a knee injury.
Emmanuel Boateng was also subbed off with an injury last time out against Columbus Crew on Sunday, and he is a doubt for Thursday's game.
As for the visitors, they will be without winger Edwin Mosquera as he is still recovering from a knee injury and could be out until sometime in August.
Elsewhere, Atlanta will be unable to call upon defender Luis Abram as he was at Copa America with recently-eliminated Peru.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Lima, Arreaga, Romney, Jones; Buck, Polster, Harkes; Bajraktarevic, Vrioni, Panayotou
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Gregersen, Williams, Cobb; Lennon, Fortune, Muyumba, Wiley; Almada; Rios, Silva
We say: New England Revolution 1-1 Atlanta United
Although New England come into the game in strong form, Atlanta have proved to be resilient under interim manager Valentino.
Additionally, Thursday's match could be a closely fought contest given the potential MLS Cup ramifications for both sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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