MLS New England Revolution

Game Preview: New England Revolution vs. Montreal Impact Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Play-In Round

November 19, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution (8-7-8, 8th in Eastern Conference) will return to postseason action on Friday evening, hosting the first match of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, an Eastern Conference Play-In Round contest against the Montreal Impact (8-13-2, 9th in Eastern Conference) at Gillette Stadium. The match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET and will air nationally on FS1 and FOX Deportes, and is also available on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub, WKPZ (105.3 FM / 1280 AM), and SiriusXM FC (Channel 157). WBIX 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA will also carry the game with Portuguese commentary.

The Revolution, making their second consecutive postseason appearance, are set to host a playoff match for the first time since the second leg of the 2014 Eastern Conference Championship. The Revs have not lost a playoff game at Gillette Stadium since 2002, a 12-game postseason unbeaten run in Foxborough. Overall in the playoffs, New England's record stands at 17-17-9.

For the second straight season, New England is led into the postseason by the most decorated coach in MLS Cup Playoff history, Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. Already the winningest head coach in MLS postseason annals with 32 victories and owner of the most MLS Cup titles with five, Friday will mark Arena's 51st career MLS Cup Playoff match on the sidelines, moving him ahead of Sigi Schmid for the most all-time. Arena's career playoff record is 32-12-6 (.700).

Friday's match is New England's first postseason encounter with Montreal. In the regular season, the two sides met four times, with New England outscoring Thierry Henry's side 8-5 and registering victories in each of the last three meetings. The Revolution lead the all-time series over Montreal 12-10-3, including a 6-4-1 advantage in Foxborough. Forward Adam Buksa, who recorded a goal and an assist in the last meeting with Montreal on Oct. 14, is set to make his MLS Cup Playoffs debut alongside fellow Designated Players Gustavo Bou and Carles Gil in New England's attack. The trio is set to make its third consecutive appearance after playing just 250 minutes together in the regular season. Meanwhile, Teal Bunbury, the club's leading scorer in 2020, is set to surpass 1,000 career playoff minutes in the contest.

With a win over Montreal, New England would advance to Round One of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, November 24, traveling to face either No. 2 Toronto FC or the top-seeded Philadelphia Union.

Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Play-In Round: New England Revolution vs. Montreal Impact

Date: Friday, Nov. 20, 2020

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Mass.)

Broadcast Information

National TV: FS1 and FOX Deportes (Spanish)

English Talent: John Strong (play-by-play), Stu Holden (analyst)

Spanish Talent: Rodolfo Landeros, John Laguna, Mariano Trujillo

Local Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, WPKZ (105.3 FM/1280 AM)

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

Portuguese Radio: 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA

What to Watch for: Here are some top storylines ahead of Friday's match against Montreal. Click here to view the club's complete game notes.

New England improving on its streak of 12-straight playoff games at Gillette Stadium without a loss, with the last loss in Foxborough coming against LA in the 2002 MLS Cup Final.

The Revolution hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2014, which was also the year of the team's last playoff win.

Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena becoming the all-time leader in MLS Cup Playoff games coached with 51, moving him ahead of Sigi Schmid (50), and adding to his record 32 playoff wins.

F Teal Bunbury, who secured the Revs' Golden Boot as the team's leading scorer with eight goals during the regular season, playing three minutes to eclipse 1,000 career minutes played in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Bunbury maintaining his team lead with four career goals in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

M Lee Nguyen (4) registering one assist to leap Jose Cancela and Steve Ralston for the most MLS Cup Playoffs assists in Revolution history.

GK Matt Turner, who finished second in 2020 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, earning his first MLS Cup Playoffs win and building on a 5-2-1 regular-season record against the Impact, including four clean sheets.

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from November 19, 2020


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