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MLS New England Revolution

Game Preview: New England Revolution vs. Columbus SC

May 15, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution (2-1-2; 8 pts.) will host Columbus SC (1-1-2, 5 pts.) at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night for a 6:00 p.m. ET contest, which will air nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. The contest is available on the radio on SiriusXM FC (Channel 157), 98.5 The Sports Hub, and 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese).

New England is set to welcome defending MLS Cup champions Columbus SC to Gillette Stadium for a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final, a 1-0 Crew victory on Dec. 6. The Revolution, 23-28-13 in the regular season series against Columbus, are a perfect 2-0-0 in Foxborough this season. With a win in Sunday's contest, New England will register victories in its first three home matches for the first time since 2005. Bruce Arena, the winningest active head coach in MLS, is 16-9-4 all-time against Columbus in league play, but this will be his first regular season meeting with the Crew since joining the Revolution just over two years ago.

The Revs will be closing out a stretch of three games in nine days on Sunday, having registered a 1-1 draw at Philadelphia on Wednesday in the club's first midweek contest of the season. Teal Bunbury opened his 2021 account with an 85th-minute goal on assists from DeJuan Jones and Gustavo Bou. Carles Gil collected a game-high six key passes for the second straight match and continues to pace all MLS players in chances created with 23 on the season.

The Crew arrive in Foxborough on the heels of a 2-0 defeat away to Toronto FC, dropping Caleb Porter's side to 0-1-1 on the road to open the campaign. Columbus opened the 2021 campaign competing in the Concacaf Champions League before exiting in the Quarterfinals. Argentinian midfielder Lucas Zelarayán, the 2020 MLS Cup MVP, will lead the attack for the visitors, as he leads the team with one goal on the year. The Crew have registered three goals in four games thus far, including two own goals.

Game 6 vs. Columbus Crew SC

Date: Sunday, May 16, 2021

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes (Spanish)

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

English Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, SiriusXM FC (Channel 157)

Portuguese Radio: WBIX 1260 AM "Nossa Radio USA"

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

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

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

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

The Revolution going 3-0-0 at home to start the season for the first time since 2005, when New England won its first four home games en route to an appearance in MLS Cup.

New England meeting Columbus SC for the first time since the Eastern Conference Final of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs on Dec. 6, a 1-0 win for the Crew.

The Revolution improving on a 23-38-13 regular season record against the fellow MLS original side, including a 15-17-6 mark at home vs. Columbus.

The Revs and Columbus meeting for the first time in regular season play since Bruce Arena took over as Sporting Director and Head Coach just over two years ago (announced on May 14, 2019).

GK Matt Turner making his 75th MLS appearance, all with New England.

M Carles Gil maintaining his MLS lead in chances created (23), chances created from set play (11), and adding to his team-high two assists.

M Maciel logging his fourth straight start and remaining among the MLS leaders in passing accuracy, where his 92.3% rate ranks fifth (min. 100 attempts).

F Gustavo Bou adding to his 13 goals from open play since he entered the league in July 2019, which is tied for fifth most during that span.

D Andrew Farrell (244) continuing to move up the club's all-time service ranks, as he is now two appearances shy of matching Chris Tierney (246) for fourth-most games played in Revs history.

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from May 15, 2021


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