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New England Revolution

The Thin Red Line: Pivotal Week on Tap as Revs Look to Climb

September 27, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - As we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall, it's officially crunch time in MLS.

Last weekend's results saw the New England Revolution drop below the red line in the Eastern Conference, but they still lurk just one point back of the playoff places with three games remaining. By the end of the weekend, New England could be as high as fifth in the East, or as low as ninth.

FULL MLS STANDINGS

Two of the Revolution's remaining three games are at home, including Saturday night's meeting with Sporting Kansas City (GET TICKETS), another side battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

While the Revs will keep their focus squarely on SKC, there's also some scoreboard watching to do as we keep our eyes on seven other games around MLS on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday, Sept. 28

D.C. United (8-9-13, 37 pts.) vs. Columbus Crew SC (7-11-11, 32 pts.)

RFK Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET

MLS LIVE

Both of these teams are in the mix for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, but at the moment it's D.C. United who edge out the Revs for that sixth postseason berth. United have one game in hand on the Revs and Crew SC have two, so this will close the gap as far as games played ahead of the weekend.

While it's true that Columbus could catch the Revs by the end of this weekend, New England can mitigate those concerns by claiming three points themselves, and a D.C. United loss would open the door for the Revolution to potentially climb back above the red line on Saturday night.

Wednesday, Sept. 28

Montreal Impact (9-10-11, 38 pts.) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (7-9-13, 34 pts.)

Stade Saputo, 7:30 p.m. ET

MLS LIVE

Montreal currently occupies fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but the Impact sit just two points ahead of the Revolution and have stumbled in recent weeks with five losses in their last eight games.

This midweek showdown will serve as Montreal's game in hand on New England, so a loss to the Earthquakes would keep the Impact within striking distance ahead of the weekend.

Wednesday, Sept. 28

Toronto FC (13-8-9, 48 pts.) vs. Orlando City SC (7-10-13, 34 pts.)

BMO Field, 7:30 p.m. ET

FS1

Toronto FC is one of three teams in the Eastern Conference to have already clinched a playoff berth, and subsequently the Canadian side is out of the Revolution's reach entering October.

Orlando City SC, however, are still very much in the mix with New England. The second-year side is currently two points back of the Revs and this will serve as Orlando's game in hand, so a win for Jason Kreis' club on Wednesday night would drop the Revs down to seventh ahead of Saturday.

The math here is simple; Revolution fans will be pulling for TFC against Orlando.

Saturday, Oct. 1

New York Red Bulls (13-9-9, 48 pts.) vs. Philadelphia Union (11-11-9, 42 pts.)

Red Bull Arena, 7 p.m. ET

MLS LIVE

The Red Bulls are another side that's already clinched a playoff spot and can't be caught by the Revs, but Philadelphia remain a possibility as they have a six-point lead on the Revs with three games remaining.

It's a long shot as the Revs would need to pick up at least six points from their final three games and essentially require the Union to lose out, but regardless it makes sense for Revolution fans to pull for the Red Bulls in this Eastern Conference clash on Saturday night.

Saturday, Oct. 1

Toronto FC (13-8-9, 48 pts.) vs. D.C. United (8-9-13, 37 pts.)

BMO Field, 7:30 p.m. ET

MLS LIVE

Toronto FC and D.C. United kick off at the same time as the Revs on Saturday night, but New England fans will likely want to keep an eye on their phones to check the score of this critical showdown.

Once again, TFC is out of the Revolution's reach, but Greg Vanney's men can do the Revolution a favor by taking out D.C. United, who will be one point, two points or four points ahead of the Revs by the weekend.

Saturday, Oct. 1

Columbus Crew SC (7-11-11, 32 pts.) vs. Chicago Fire (6-14-9, 27 pts.)

MAPFRE Stadium, 7:30 p.m. ET

MLS LIVE

New England's only remaining road game is at the Chicago Fire, who could officially be out of the playoff picture by the time those two teams meet on October 16. Chicago enter this week's action 10 points back of the final playoff spot, and the gap could be greater by the time the weekend rolls around.

The Revs will be hoping the Fire can play the role of spoiler in the meantime, however, as a Chicago victory over Columbus would keep Crew SC chasing.

Sunday, Oct. 2

Orlando City SC (7-10-13, 34 pts.) vs. Montreal Impact (9-10-11, 38 pts.)

Camping World Stadium, 1 p.m. ET

ESPN

Rounding out the weekend is an interesting match from a Revolution perspective, as both of these teams could be in the mix with the Revs for the final playoff spots.

New England likely won't know what their ideal result is in this match until the midweek action has played out, but a draw would prevent either side from gaining maximum points and will likely be the best case scenario.

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