Revolution host NYC FC hoping to extend home win streak (Mar 22, 2018)
The New England Revolution haven't lost at home in MLS play since last summer. Coming off a bye week, Brad Friedel's club faces a stiff test.
New England will try to extend an unbeaten streak and deal New York City FC its first loss of the season on Saturday.
The Revolution haven't played since topping the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, on March 10 in Foxborough, Mass. Diego Fagundez scored and Chris Tierney collected the game-winner deep in second-half stoppage time to give Friedel, a rookie coach, his first league win.
New England (1-1-0) owns a nine-game unbeaten streak, including eight victories, in league play since falling to the New York Red Bulls last July 5.
"Energy is still really good," Friedel said. "Whenever you get a victory under your belt, it's always easier to be in a good mood."
Revolution defender Antonio Delamea, who served a red-card suspension with fellow defender Claude Dielna against Colorado, says the club knows how to handle NYCFC.
"We know their strengths, we know their weaknesses. We'll try to outplay them. First, we'll try to play soccer with them -- try to keep the ball, to play possession," Delamea said of the Pigeons, who have surrendered one goal and sits atop the league standings.
"We know we need to be sharp to win duels, especially in the midfield. This is where their strength is coming from. If we can cut their midfield off, that will do almost half of our job," he added.
NYCFC (3-0-0) stayed perfect with a 2-0 win over Orlando City SC last Saturday in the Bronx. Coming out of the halftime break, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored in his first start with the team and Maximiliano Moralez added a goal later in the second half.
"We just needed to wait for the right time to take our chances," NYCFC coach Patrick Vieria told the New York Post.
Sean Johnson made three saves for the Pigeons en route to his second shutout of 2018 and the 45th of his career. The Atlanta native tied a career high with seven clean sheets last year.
Captain David Villa (calf) -- fourth in MLS with 13 shots -- and defender Anton Tinnerholm (ankle) did not suit up for NYCFC, and it's not yet known if they will face New England, but Friedel is planning as if the two will be available.
"I think we have to do that. If David Villa is fit with (Jesus) Medina and Moralez, they're very, very good up front," he said.
NYCFC defender Donald Matarrita is out Saturday with a hamstring injury.
The Revs lead the all-time series 4-3 with two ties.
