MLS New England Revolution

Eastern Conference Final Preview: New England Revolution at Columbus Crew Sc

December 5, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution are set to battle Columbus Crew SC in the Eastern Conference Final of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday afternoon, with the winner earning the right to advance to MLS Cup next Saturday. The Revolution will kick off against third-seeded Columbus at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC, and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. The match airs locally on the radio with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action on ROCK 92.9 FM, and in Portuguese on 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA in Portuguese.

New England, seeded eighth in the Eastern Conference, is one win away from advancing to the club's sixth MLS Cup, which would be the second most all-time. The Revolution will face Columbus, 10-0-1 across all competitions at MAPFRE Stadium this season, for the first time in 2020. It is the eighth postseason meeting between the two MLS originals, with the Revs holding an unbeaten 4-0-3 record (2-0-1 away) in the playoff series. New England is 5-1-4 in the conference final round, with a 3-1-1 mark away from home.

The Revolution's postseason run has been catalyzed by a dynamic attack balanced with a cohesive defensive unit that has helped the club outscore opponents 7-2 over three straight wins. Gustavo Bou (three goals, one assist) and Carles Gil (two goals, three assists) have factored into all seven goals in the playoffs, with fellow Designated Player Adam Buksa and Tajon Buchanan contributing one goal each. Bou tallied a brace against Orlando City in the conference semifinal, improving the Revs' record to 10-0-6 across all competitions when he scores. Forward Teal Bunbury, the club's Golden Boot winner in the regular season with eight goals, owns the most career playoff appearances (15) and playoff goals (4) on the roster.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner, 3-1-0 in his career during the MLS Cup Playoffs, has backstopped a defensive unit with one clean sheet in the postseason to go with six during the regular season. Center backs Andrew Farrell and rookie Henry Kessler have started all three playoff games, along with DeJuan Jones and Buchanan, the 2020 Canadian Youth International Player of the Year. The Revolution defense allowed a club-record 1.09 goals per game during the regular season, with that figure dropping to 0.67 thus far in the playoffs.

Sunday's match is New England's first encounter with Columbus during Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena's tenure. Arena, who holds league records for MLS Cup titles (6), playoff games coached (53) and postseason victories (35), is on the cusp of reaching his eighth MLS Cup in 15 seasons. Arena is 35-12-6 in his postseason career, and an unbeaten 29-0-3 when his teams score first.

With a win over Columbus, the Revolution will advance to the 2020 MLS Cup, visiting the winner of Monday's Western Conference Final between Minnesota United FC and Seattle Sounders FC. The championship game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs

Eastern Conference Final: New England Revolution at Columbus Crew SC

Date: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET

Location: MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

Broadcast Information

National TV: ABC and ESPN Deportes (Spanish)

Talent: Jon Champion (play-by-play), Taylor Twellman (analyst)

Local Radio: ROCK 92.9 FM

Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst)

Portuguese Radio: 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA

What to watch for: Here are some of the top storylines to follow on Sunday. Click here to view the Revolution's complete game notes.

New England advancing to a sixth MLS Cup final, which would be the second most in league history. The Revs are 5-1-4 all-time in the conference final round.

The Revs meeting fellow MLS original Columbus in the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals. New England is an unbeaten 4-0-3 against Columbus in the playoffs.

The Revolution winning four games in a single postseason for the first time in club history.

Bruce Arena, in pursuit of a record sixth MLS Cup title, leading a team to the final for the eighth time in 15 MLS seasons. He is also the league's all-time leader in playoff wins (35) and games coached (53).

F Gustavo Bou and M Carles Gil continuing to spark the Revolution attack, having recorded either the goal or an assist on all seven of the club's playoff tallies.

Bou, one of two Revolution players to record a postseason brace in club history, scoring once to match the club record for goals in a single postseason set by Charlie Davies (4) in 2014. The Argentine striker needs one goal to equal Teal Bunbury (4) for the team lead in career playoff goals.

M Carles Gil registering one assist to set the club record for most in a single postseason, and enter a four-way tie with Lee Nguyen, Jose Cancela and Steve Ralston for the most postseason assists in club history.

F Teal Bunbury, who secured the club's Golden Boot as the Revs' leading scorer (8), adding to his team-high 15 MLS Cup Playoffs appearances and his six away goals in 2020, which led all MLS players in the regular season.

F Adam Buksa adding to his one goal in three playoff starts and seven goals in 2020.

M/D Tajon Buchanan making his fourth straight start at right back after playing primarily as a winger in 23 regular season appearances. Buchanan has scored one goal and won a penalty kick in the playoffs.

GK Matt Turner winning a fourth straight game in net, becoming the first Revs goalkeeper to win four games in a single postseason.

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