New England Revolution vs. New York City FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

New England Revolution vs. New York City FC
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 4
Gillette Stadium - Foxborough
1:30 pm ET – March 24, 2018
WATCH: MLS LIVE

New York City FC are looking to make it four wins in a row to start the season and extend their lead atop the Eastern Conference standings against a well-rested New England Revolution team that comes off a Week 3 bye and rides a nine-match unbeaten streak at Gillette Stadium.

As was the case last week when David Villa, Anton Tinnerholm and Jo Inge Berget were out, New York City FC’s depth will be tested in Foxborough with midfielders Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica) and Alex Ring (Finland) away on international duty, Ronald Matarrita out with a hamstring injury and Villa not yet fully recovered from a calf injury sustained against the LA Galaxy.

The Revs opened their home schedule with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids with Chris Tierney coming off the bench to score the winner in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, giving Brad Friedel his first MLS coaching win. New England will be without Krisztian Nemeth, who is with the Hungarian national team for upcoming friendlies against Kazakhstan and Scotland.

New England Revolution

The Revs welcome back their central defense pair of Antonio Delamea and Claude Dielna, who were both suspended for a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in Week 2 after being sent off in a season-opening loss against the Philadelphia Union. Meanwhile, left back Gabriel Somi, who left that match after 17 minutes with a concussion, returned to full training on Tuesday and is available for selection.

“Thankfully, I’m feeling great,” Somi said after the Revs trained Tuesday. “The first few days were a bit tough — I had a bit of a headache — but other than that these [last] couple of days I’ve been progressing really well, and finally I can train with the team.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: F - Krisztian Nemeth
Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE: D - Gabriel Somi (concussion), M - Zachary Herivaux (ankle)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Matt Turner — Andrew Farrell, Antonio Delamea, Claude Dielna, Gabriel Somi — Scott Caldwell, Wilfred Zahibo — Kelyn Rowe, Diego Fagundez, Cristian Penilla — Teal Bunbury

Notes: Both Lee Nguyen and Diego Fagundez have three goals against NYCFC. The rest of the team has combined for four goals against the Cityzens. … The Revolution have won three of their four all-time home games against the Boys in Blue, outscoring them 6-3 in the process. This includes a 2-1 win on Oct. 15, 2017.

New York City FC

Villa and Tinnerholm, who each scored in a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy in Week 2, failed late fitness tests and Villa’s backup, Berget, was out with the flu. NYCFC was without a true forward, but they didn’t miss a beat in defeating Orlando City SC 2-0 Saturday.

Ismael Tajouri earned his first MLS start and, despite being uncomfortable as the No. 9 and shooting with his less-used right foot, still found the back of the net to punish the Lions for a brutal defensive mistake. Maxi Moralez added the insurance goal after dispossessing Sacha Kljestan in midfield. Patrick Vieira lauded his team’s maturity and patience, especially in the attacking third.

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: M - Rodney Wallace, M - Alex Ring
Injury Report: OUT: D - Ronald Matarrita (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: David Villa (calf)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Sean Johnson — Anton Tinnerholm, Maxime Chanot, Alexander Callens, Ben Sweat — Ebenezer Ofori, Yangel Herrera — Jesus Medina, Maxi Moralez, Ismael Tajouri — Jo Inge Berget

Notes: Sean Johnson has made 73 saves against the Revolution, the second most by a keeper against one team since the start of the 2010 season. … NYCFC are 3W-0L-0D for the first time in team history and have won four consecutive games dating back to last year’s playoffs, which ties a franchise record.

All-Time Series

Overall: Revolution 4 wins, 13 goals … NYCFC 3 wins, 11 goals … Ties 2
At New England: Revolution 3 wins, 6 goals … NYCFC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
Last meeting at New England: New England Revolution 2, NYCFC 1 (Oct. 15, 2017)