Venue:
Gillette Stadium
Time:
7:30 PM, 7/12
Watch on:
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Atlanta United Preview
Atlanta United have put together two consecutive quality performances. Sure, they were against teams missing players, but the Five Stripes have been without some very important players as well. We’ve seen this before, but we have to hope that this will be a turning point in Gonzalo Pineda’s time in Atlanta. Miles Robinson is still not with the team as he has international duty, however DP striker Giorgos Giakoumakis is listed as questionable. New midfielder Tristan Muyumba won’t play.
Predicted XI:
New England Preview
Recent Transfers
I’ve written about New England’s winter window before, as I think they did a great job, but first and foremost, the Revs just added Argentine attacker Tomas Chancalay on loan with an option to buy. He won’t play (they added him on Monday), but it’s a significant move either way.
Anyways, in the winter, they made some really nice reinforcements. They added Dave Romney to their already strong center back corps, and he’s been a starter for them. They also added MLS Cup winning central midfielder Latif Blessing, as well as Bobby Wood from Real Salt Lake, seemingly meant to be a backup, who’s been very good for them. On top of this, they recently added veteran fullback Ben Sweat after his spell with Sporting KC ended.
Availability
The Revolution have had significant issues with injuries and absences. Young attacker Dylan Borrero, who came into the year with high expectations after good numbers in limited minutes due to injuries in 2022, drawing comparisons to Tajon Buchanan, is out for the year, and rotation winger Nacho Gil is out with a leg injury. Center back Henry Kessler is out with a hamstring injury, and midfielders Maciel and Matt Polster are both out as well. Crucial starting left back Dejuan Jones is out on international duty, and starting central midfielder Latif Blesing is out due to red card suspension.
Players to Watch
Djordje Petrovic
If you ask me, he’s the best goalkeeper in MLS. He’ll be out of the league soon enough, but for now, the Five Stripes need to do everything they can going forward if they want to come out of Foxborough with three points, because Petrovic is an absolute wall.
Dave Romney
There’s a reason he started for Nashville, who were consistently one of the best back lines in MLS. He’s not Sergio Ramos, but he’s a quality center back.
Brandon Bye
One of the most underrated players in the league in my opinion. It may have just been good form, as he hadn’t done it before and doesn’t look like he’ll be doing it this year, but he ended 2022 with the second most assists among fullbacks in MLS, while also being quality defensively. He can go both ways well, and needs to be accounted for.
Matt Polster
Had an excellent 2021 season, he regressed a bit last year but is still a solid midfielder who can control the tempo of the game for the Revs.
Carles Gil
2021 MLS MVP, arguably the best player in the league, wreaked havoc in the Benz earlier this year. I really don’t need to say much, he’s so silky, sees the field so well, is just better than most players. Not much you can do with him, just pray for the best.
Bobby Wood
Has 7g/4a in 1,225 minutes so far this year. His production this season is up there with the likes of Cucho Hernandez, Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga. Maybe a bit unexpected, but he’s having a phenomenal year production wise and has really stepped up.
Gustavo Bou
Consistently very good production as a forward (he’s a striker but has played as a winger, attacking midfielder and second striker), he’s another underrated player. Will probably be deployed as a striker alongside Bobby Wood, forming a formidable attacking group.
Predicted XI:
Score Prediction:
2-1, New England Revolution
It’s in New England, and the Revs have just been better than Atlanta this year. I don’t anticipate a poor game for the Five Stripes, I think they’ll be very good and probably find goal, especially if Giakoumakis sees the pitch, but New England are so good going forward while Atlanta, despite recent form, haven't been great defensively. I could easily see a world where Atlanta wins, especially if they keep a clean sheet the way they did vs Philly and Montreal, but I don’t think it happens.
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