Game Preview: Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One - New England Revolution at Atlanta United FC
October 18, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - New England Revolution News Release
ATLANTA, Ga. - The New England Revolution (11-11-12, 45 pts. - 7th) will return to postseason action in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs with a Round One meeting against defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United FC (18-12-4, 58 pts. - 2nd) on Saturday, October 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The club's first playoff match since 2015, and the first in the league's new single-elimination format, kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston and 98.5 The Sports Hub, with Brad Feldman, Paul Mariner, and Naoko Funayama on the call. The match also airs nationally on Univision and locally on 1260 AM Nossa Radio, the primary carrier for Revs radio in Portuguese.
Already the winningest head coach in MLS postseason history with 32 victories, Head Coach Bruce Arena will lead the Revolution into Mercedes-Benz Stadium to coach his 50th career MLS Cup Playoff match, tying Sigi Schmid's all-time record. Arena has presided over the Revs' remarkable stretch of form since May, with only three losses in the last 22 league games. Midfielder Carles Gil, who was named the 2019 MLS Newcomer of the Year this week after leading the Revolution with 10 goals and 14 assists, will captain the side after starting all 34 games of the regular season. Forward Gustavo Bou, who is also making his Audi MLS Cup Playoffs debut after finishing fifth in Newcomer of the Year voting, is on the hunt for his 10th goal in only 15 overall appearances.
Throughout what marks the club's 14th ever playoff campaign, the Revolution will have to rely on an improved road form that saw the team lose only twice in its last 11 away matches. The Revs' ranked third in MLS with 27 away goals during the regular season, and only Supporters' Shield-winners LAFC and Eastern Conference leaders New York City FC had fewer road losses than New England's six. The Revolution closed out the regular season in Atlanta on October 6, as Cristian Penilla scored the club's lone goal in the 3-1 loss to Frank de Boer's second-ranked side.
With a win over Atlanta United on Saturday, New England would advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET, traveling to face the winner of Sunday's Round One match between the Philadelphia Union (No. 3 seed) and the New York Red Bulls (No. 6 seed).
Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Local TV: NBC Sports Boston (streaming on NBC Sports app)
Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Paul Mariner (analyst), Naoko Funayama (sideline)
Revolution Postgame Live begins immediately following the match.
English Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub & SiriusXM FC Channel 157
Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Paul Mariner (analyst), Naoko Funayama (sideline)
National TV: Univision / TUDN
Spanish Talent: Raul Guzman, Ramses Sandoval, Marcelo Balboa, Ivan Kasanzew
SAP/English Talent: Juan Arango, Chris Wittyngham
Portuguese Radio: 1260 AM "Nossa Radio USA"
Talent: Luis Lombardi Jr. (play-by-play)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Sporting Director & Head Coach Bruce Arena coaching his 50th career MLS Cup Playoff game, tying Sigi Schmid for the most all-time. Arena is already the winningest coach in MLS postseason history with 32 wins.
- The Revolution playing their first match in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since Oct. 28, 2015 (at D.C. United), and going for the club's first postseason win since Nov. 23, 2014 (vs. New York Red Bulls).
- New England building on a 3-6-8 away record in the regular season, with only two losses in the club's last 11 away games.
- 2019 MLS Newcomer of the Year M Carles Gil continuing to start every MLS match of the season after becoming the second Revolution player to start 34 regular season games.
- F Gustavo Bou tallying for the 10th time in 15 overall MLS matches, having scored nine goals and two assists in the regular season.
- F Teal Bunbury playing 72 minutes to eclipse 1,000 minutes for his MLS Cup Playoffs career, and scoring once to claim sole possession of fourth place on the club's postseason goal-scoring list.
- GK Matt Turner potentially making his first postseason start after ranking third in MLS in saves percentage (74.8) during the regular season.
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