MLS New England Revolution

Game Preview: New England Revolution at Columbus Crew

Published on July 2, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution (7-2-2; 23 pts.) will visit the Columbus Crew (4-3-3; 15 pts.) on Saturday for a 5:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Lower.com Field. The nationally televised match airs on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. The contest is also available locally on the radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub and 1260 AM Nossa Radio.

Saturday's match, the first-ever contest played at Lower.com Field, marks the second of three meetings this season between the Revolution and the defending MLS Cup champions. The Revolution claimed a 1-0 win over the Crew on May 16 at Gillette Stadium behind Adam Buksa's game-winning goal in the 86th minute. The victory was one of seven wins for the Revs through 11 games, tied for the most in MLS. New England, 2-2-2 on the road this season, is targeting the club's first league victory in Columbus since 2013. That is also the same season in which the Revolution last beat the Crew twice in the same MLS campaign (3-0-0).

The reigning MLS Player of the Month, Revolution captain Carles Gil, will lead New England into action as he prepares to make his 50th MLS start. The 28-year-old Spanish midfielder recorded five assists in the month of June to raise his total to 10 on the season, twice that of the next-closest player. Gil became only the second player in MLS history - and the first since 2000 - to record 10 helpers through 10 games.

Much of Gil's service has benefitted forward Gustavo Bou, who has scored in a league-best four consecutive games. With five goals on the season, Bou has edged ahead of Adam Buksa (4) for the team lead. New England's trio of Designated Players - Bou, Buksa, and Gil - have factored into 16 of the team's 18 goals scored this season. However, it is 12-year MLS veteran Teal Bunbury - one appearance shy of his 300th regular season game played - who has had the most career success against the Crew. He owns three goals and two assists in 19 league appearance against Columbus.

After this weekend's contest, a pair of Revolution standouts will depart for international duty at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Goalkeeper Matt Turner will join the U.S. Men's National Team looking to build on his first international appearance in January 2021. Turner enters Saturday's match with seven wins, tied for the most in MLS and one away from his career high. Meanwhile, forward Tajon Buchanan will join the Canada Men's National Team after picking his first four caps during World Cup Qualifying in June. The teammates will face off against one another in the tournament, as the U.S. and Canada are both competing in Group B.

Columbus heads into Week 11 in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Crew's attack has failed to produce a goal over its last two games, including a 0-0 draw at Austin FC in the club's most recent match on June 27. Gyasi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayán, the 2020 MLS Cup MVP, are tied for the team lead in goals scored (3). Defensively, the Crew's seven goals conceded are tied for the fewest in MLS.

Game 12 at Columbus Crew SC

Date: Saturday, July 3, 2021

Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET

Location: Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes (Spanish)

ESPN Talent: Adrian Healey (play-by-play), Brian Dunseth (analyst)

ESPN Deportes Talent: Mauricio Pedroza, Alex Pareja, Herculez Gomez

Streaming: ESPN+ (Out-of-market subscribers)

English Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub

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

Portuguese Radio: WBIX 1260 AM "Nossa Radio USA"

Here are a few top storylines to watch for on Saturday:

The Revolution seeking the club's 300th regular season win in what will be the team's 800th league game all time.

New England defeating Columbus twice in the same league campaign for the first time since 2013 (3-0-0). The two sides will meet for a third time in Foxborough on Sept. 18.

Bruce Arena building on his 23-12-18 record with the Revolution and 17-9-4 all-time record against Columbus.

Carles Gil, the MLS Player of the Month for June, making his 50th MLS start and adding to his league-high 10 assists.

New England remaining unbeaten when Gil logs an assist (18-0-5).

F Gustavo Bou extending his scoring streak to five straight games with a goal, which would set a new career high for the Argentine striker.

GK Matt Turner and F Tajon Buchanan seeing their last action with the Revs before departing for the Concacaf Gold Cup with the United States and Canada, respectively.

Turner recording a victory to match his career-high of eight wins in a single season. Turner's seven wins this season are tied for the league lead.

D Brandon Bye making his 75th MLS start and maintaining his place among the league leaders in headed shots (T-3rd - 8) and aerial duels won (T-5th - 38).

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

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