MLS New England Revolution

Game Preview: New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC

Published on July 6, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution (7-2-3; 24 pts.) will host Toronto FC (1-8-2; 5 pts.) on Wednesday night for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium. CBS Boston's pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with "Revolution Kickoff" on WSBK-TV38. The match airs locally on TV38, on myRITV in Rhode Island, and on CoziTV in Western Mass, as well as on ESPN+ for out-of-market subscribers. The contest is available on the radio on 98.5 The Sports Hub and 1260 AM Nossa Radio.

New England is back at home after picking up a valuable road point on Saturday against the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. The point was enough to keep the Revs on top of the Eastern Conference table with 24 points through 12 games. The Revolution - the last team in MLS yet to drop a point at home - will look to build on the club's 5-0-0 record at Gillette Stadium, which represents the best home start in club history. The Revolution have had consistent success against TFC in Foxborough, carrying a 10-3-5 home record in the series into the midweek tilt.

Leading the Revs' attack is forward Gustavo Bou, who has netted a goal in a career-high five straight games, the longest streak by any player in MLS this season. The Argentinian striker's team-high six goals are tied for fourth most in MLS. If Bou scores in the next two games, he would tie the club record scoring streak at seven matches. New England also boasts one of the league's most dynamic playmakers with Carles Gil pulling the strings in the midfield. Gil's league-leading 10 assists are four more than the second-place player.

With goalkeeper Matt Turner and forward Tajon Buchanan away on international duty with the United States and Canada, respectively, for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, New England will look to several other contributors to fill their key roles. Among Bruce Arena's numerous attacking options are Adam Buksa, who owns four goals on the year, Icelandic midfielder Arnór Traustason, and the newest member of the league's 300-appearnace club, Teal Bunbury. Bunbury's total of 300 games played - including 210 with the Revolution - is eighth most among active MLS players. The Hamilton, Ontario native also leads the club's active roster with four goals in 22 games played against Toronto.

In net, a pair of veteran goalkeepers are prepared to fill Turner's post. Brad Knighton, a 15th-year pro who owns 75 league appearances, or Earl Edwards Jr. could potentially slot in between the sticks. Knighton last appeared for the Revs on March 7, 2020, while Edwards Jr. - a seven-year MLS veteran - is looking for his first MLS action in a Revolution shirt.

Toronto FC, currently in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, enters Wednesday's match winless in its last seven games. Ayo Akinola and Jonathan Osorio pace Toronto's attack with three goals each. The Revs lead the all-time series, 13-9-11, but fell to Toronto, 1-0, in the most recent meeting on Oct. 7, 2020. For the first time, Toronto will be led into action by interim head coach Javier Perez after the club parted ways with Chris Armas on July 4.

Get a Shot, Take a Shot: Wednesday marks the second installment of the Revolution's "Get a Shot, Take a Shot" vaccination initiative held in conjunction with the Kraft Center for Community Health. Fans ages 12 and up attending Wednesday's match and subsequent home matches through Aug. 8 will be able to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the mobile clinic located on the Gillette Stadium concourse adjacent to the lighthouse. Beginning when gates open through the 60th minute of play, any eligible fan who receives the vaccine at the match will be invited to take a shot on goal on the pitch after the match.

Game 13 vs. Toronto FC

Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: WSBK-TV 38, myRITV, CoziTV

Pregame TV: "Revolution Kickoff" begins at 6:30 p.m. on TV38

TV Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst), Naoko Funayama (sideline reporter)

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

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 Wednesday:

The Revs remaining perfect at Gillette Stadium after jumping out to the best home start in club history (5-0-0). New England is the only MLS team yet to drop points at home this season.

New England remaining atop the Eastern Conference table and adding to its seven victories, one behind Sporting Kansas City (8) for the most in MLS.

The Revolution snapping a five-game winless run against Toronto FC and defeating the Reds for the first time since May 12, 2018 (3-2). The Revs are 13-9-11 all-time record against Toronto FC, including a 10-3-5 mark at home.

F Gustavo Bou extending his streak of five straight games with a goal, the longest run in MLS this season and two games shy of matching the club-record scoring streak (Wolde Harris - 7 in 2000).

Bou remaining among the league's top five in goals scored, where his team-high six goals are tied for fourth.

M Carles Gil continuing to pace MLS in several categories including assists (10), game-winning assists (4), chances created (62), big chances created (13), chances created from open play (34), chances created from set play (28), and successful crosses/corners (50).

Either Brad Knighton or Earl Edwards Jr. starting in goal for New England in place of Matt Turner, who is with the United States Men's National Team for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. Knighton's last MLS start came on March 7, 2020, while Edwards Jr.'s last MLS start came in 2018 with Orlando City SC.

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

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