World News – USA – Revolution needs Philly to solve to advance in MLS playoffs

The Philadelphia Union captured the Best-Recorded Supporters’ Shield in MLS and the New England Revolution were their unwilling accomplices.

When MLS configured an unbalanced schedule after a four month hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, it was inexplicably planned for the Union and Revolution to play against each other four times. They played five games in the Revs’ regular season of 22 games.

The first meeting was by chance when both teams came on 25. July in Orlando, Florida, promoted from group play to knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament. The Union went 4-0: 1 and took 13 of their MLS with 47 points and four of their 14 wins.

The Top Seed Union (14-5-4) will take on the Revolution (8-7-8) for the sixth time in round one of the MLS Cup Playoffs at 8 p.m.. m. Tuesday at Subaru Park. The Union has played 8-0-2 against the Revolution in the last 10 meetings.

« There are no secrets between these two teams, » said Revolution coach Bruce Arena. « This is the sixth time we’ve played this year and obviously we haven’t had much success.

« I don’t think the bookies preferred us on this one. Your team is solid on both ends. It will certainly be a big challenge for our team. ”

The Union eliminated the revolution from the MLS is Back Tournament with a 1-0 win. The teams fought for a goalless draw in August. 20 in Gillette, but the Union sat down on Sept.. at home with 2: 1. 12 despite 10 men on the field. Union midfielder Anthony Fontana took off his first career shedding the game winner in added time.

The worst setback could have been the Revs’ 2-1 defeat at Gillette in October. 19th. The Union went in the 34. 1-0 lead when Revolution center-back Andrew Farrell accidentally flipped a cross into his own goal.

The final meeting in Philly on Decision Day was neither bad luck nor circumstances. The Union harassed the revolution in the first half and scored an easy 2-0 win. This secured her first place and threw New England into the play-in round. The Revs drew a 2-1 win over Montreal Impact at Gillette Stadium on Friday.

« We all understand what it was like at the end of the last game against Philadelphia, and we were all disappointed in ourselves, » said Revolutionary Guard Matt Turner, who was recently named the team’s MVP.

« I think a lot of us took a long look in the mirror after this game, including me, and we’re trying to get the ship back in order on Tuesday. « . ”

The revolution could atone for its previous shortcomings with a victory against the Union, but Arena seeks to remove that mindset from the equation. Arena encompasses both the underdog role and the magnitude of the moment without playing the redemption card.

« I don’t see it as salvation, » said Arena. “This is obviously an important game in the playoffs and it could be anyone we play.

« It is not a redemption, it is a game that we are now starting with the last eight teams in our conference. We want to win the game, whether it’s Philadelphia or someone else. It’s a game we want to win. I wouldn’t call it redemption. ”

While the Union was resting, the Revolution scored a formidable victory over Montreal. Striker Carles Gil, who was out with a foot injury for most of the season, scored in the 38th. Minute the first hit. Gustavo Bou avoided overtime with a fantastic late-night record. Striker Adam Buksa had several chances to score, including a header that fell off the post in added time.

« It’s encouraging that he (Buksa) is getting his chances, » said Arena. « He’s doing the things he has to do to make us a good team. ”

Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Jim Curtin, MLS Cup Playoffs, Andre Blake