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New England Revolution

Game Preview: New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union

August 7, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution (11-3-4; 37 pts.) will look to extend the club's unbeaten run to six games when it hosts the Philadelphia Union (7-4-7; 28 pts.) on Sunday, August 8 for a 6:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium. The match airs locally on WSBK-TV38 and myRITV in Rhode Island with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies calling the action, and Levan Reid reporting from the pitch. The contest is also available on the radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub and 1260 AM Nossa Radio. Out-of-market subscribers can stream the match live on ESPN+.

New England, still atop the Supporters' Shield standings with a league-best 11 wins, will look to match its season-long unbeaten streak when they host their Eastern Conference rivals on Sunday. The Revolution have collected 13 points over the last five matches, winning four straight contests before claiming one point from Wednesday's clean-sheet performance against Nashville SC. The shutout was the Revs' third during the unbeaten run, during which the team has outscored opponents by an 11-3 margin.

In addition to the club's three away wins in the month of July, the Revolution have been nearly unbeatable at home this season. The team's 6-1-1 record at home has them tied for the second-most home wins in the league, while New England's backline has conceded only one goal in the last 246 minutes played at Gillette Stadium. The most recent shutout was Matt Turner's 20th in MLS action and his 10th clean sheet of 2021 between the Revolution (4) and U.S. Men's National Team (6). Turner's five shutouts at the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer tied a tournament record.

Reigning MLS Player of the Month Gustavo Bou, the second consecutive Revs player to earn the honor after Carles Gil won the award in June, has rocketed up the league's Golden Boot standings with nine goals in his last 11 games. In July, Bou tallied five goals with one assist in six matches, helping the Revs register a 4-1-1 record. Now with a career-high 10 goals on the season, the Argentinian forward enters the weekend in a tie for the second-most tallied in MLS behind. Bou's attacking partner is Polish striker Adam Buksa, who is in similarly fantastic form with four goals and one assist in his last six games. Midfielder Tajon Buchanan, winner of the Gold Cup's Best Young Player Award, and forward Teal Bunbury are tied for the team lead in goals against Philadelphia with two apiece, in addition to Buchanan's tally in Round One of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.

On the backline, Henry Kessler returned to the lineup after earning his first cap with the U.S. Men's National Team in the Gold Cup Final, helping secure the shutout in his first game back with the Revs. His partner in central defense, Andrew Farrell, continues his ascension in New England's record books as he prepares to set new club marks in several categories. With his next selection, the ninth-year defender will set a new Revolution mark for MLS regular-season starts, breaking a tie with Shalrie Joseph (254). He needs only five more appearances to set the new club record for MLS appearances (261), shared by Joseph and Diego Fagundez. The first-overall SuperDraft pick in 2013, Farrell needs to play only 38 more minutes to leap Matt Reis (22,699) for the second-most MLS minutes played in club annals - and 205 more minutes of action to pass Joseph for the all-time lead in that category.

Sunday's match brings third-place Philadelphia to Foxborough for the only time this season as the two teams square off for the second of three times in 2021. The I-95 rivals battled to a 1-1 draw on May 12 at Subaru Park in their first meeting. Head Coach Jim Curtin's side carries one of the league's top-ranked defenses with seven clean sheets - tied for second most in MLS - and only 17 goals allowed. Polish forward Kacper Przybyłko leads the Union's attack with a team-best six goals, while former Boston College and United States Men's National Team standout Alejandro Bedoya captains the visiting squad.

Game 19 vs. Philadelphia Union

Date: Sunday, August 8, 2021

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: WSBK-TV38, myRITV

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

English Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub

Portuguese Radio: WBIX 1260 AM "Nossa Radio USA"

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

New England remaining the league leaders in wins (11) and extending their lead atop the Supporters' Shield (4 points) and Eastern Conference (8 points) tables.

The Revolution going for six straight games unbeaten (4-0-1) to tie the club's longest unbeaten run this season.

New England's attack adding to its 33 goals - tied with Sporting Kansas City for most in MLS - and remaining on track to surpass the club record for most goals in a season (55 - 2003 and 2005).

The Revs building on their 6-17-7 record in the all-time series against Philadelphia. The two sides battled to a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park on May 12 in their first of three meetings this season.

D Andrew Farrell setting a new club record for games started with his 255th in a Revolution uniform, while also passing Matt Reis for the second-most minutes played in club annals with 38 minutes of action.

GK Matt Turner potentially logging his 11th clean sheet of 2021 across his time with the Revolution (4) and U.S. Men's National Team (6).

New England's three Designated Players - F Gustavo Bou, F Adam Buksa, and M Carles Gil - adding to their combined 20 goals and 19 assists.

July's MLS Player of the Month Gustavo Bou building on his run of nine goals in the last 11 games as he chases down Raul Ruidíaz for control of the MLS Golden Boot race.

Bou continuing to lead all MLS players in goals from open play (T-1st - 25) and goals from outside the box (1st - 10) across the regular season and playoffs since he entered the league.

Carles Gil continuing to pace all MLS players in combined goals and assists (17) while Bou adds to his total of 13, fourth best league wide.

Adam Buksa remaining the league's top aerial threat, as his 28 headed shots are double the second-place total.

D DeJuan Jones holding his place among top-five MLS defenders in assists (T-5th - 3).

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