The New England Revolution face expansion side Minnesota United this Saturday in their home opener. The Revs are yet to register a point for the 2017 season and will be looking to take advantage of a struggling and depleted Minnesota side. It will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
New England Revolution vs. Minnesota United Preview
Both Teams in Need of a Win
New England and Minnesota are desperately searching for their first win of the season. The Revs are winless through their first two after disappointing losses to FC Dallas (2-1) and Colorado (1-0). The Loons have been conceding goals for fun in their first three MLS games. Evidently, their goals against average stands at 4.3 goals per game, with 5-1 and 6-1 losses to Portland and Atlanta respectively. They took a step in the right direction with a 2-2 draw away to Colorado.
Home Fortress
The Revs are usually dominant at Gillette Stadium, only losing four home games all of last season. New England finished with four straight wins, although they narrowly missed the playoffs.
Injuries/Suspensions
Revs head coach Jay Heaps has a full complement to choose from for Saturday’s game. However, the same could not be said of Loons head coach Adrian Heath who has to deal with nine absences. Left back Justin Davis is suspended after he was issued a red card against Colorado. Bernardo Añor, John Alvbage, Patrick McLain and Joseph Greenspan will miss the game through injury. Furthermore, Rasmus Schuller, Francisco Calvo, Johan Venegas and Kevin Molino are away on international duty.
Predicted Lineups
New England (4-1-2-1-2): Cropper – Farrell, Mlinar, Angoua, Tierney – Caldwell – Fagundez, Rowe – Agudelo – Nguyen, Kamara
Minnesota (4-1-4-1): Shuttleworth – Thiesson, Kallman, Demidov, Taylor – Warner – Ibarra, Saeid, Ibson, Kadrii – Ramirez
Prediction
It is hard to see the Revolution letting this one slip through their grasp. Minnesota have been struggling to defend and may found their issues compounded in this game. The Loons are missing five starters (Venegas, Molino, Schuller, Davis and Calvo), so it could be a very long game for them.
Score: 3-0 New England
