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New England Revolution to take on top team Toronto FC

By Tommy Butler

Aug 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New England Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen (24) looks to play a ball as Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) tries to defend during the first half in a game at BMO Field. Toronto FC won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New England Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen (24) looks to play a ball as Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) tries to defend during the first half in a game at BMO Field. Toronto FC won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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This week will be tough for the mid-table New England Revolution as they take on the league’s top team, Toronto FC on Saturday.

It might end up being a good thing that none of the New England Revolution players made their international club rosters.

Toronto FC have arguably the best roster in the MLS. In truth, it’s not really that arguable. The Revs are lucky this week as Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore are both on the USA team. Bad news is that the whole team is really solid so it shouldn’t be too big of a deal.

Let’s look at each team’s chances.

New England Revolution

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The Revs are thankfully back at home after a hard fought road trip that resulted in a loss and a draw. The loss was obviously disappointing but the draw brings great momentum to the team.

Now at home the Revs will try to continue their luck at home. Even with their 10-game unbeaten streak at home, they’re going to need it.

The Revs will be relying heavily on their attackers on Saturday. Let’s be serious, with the form the defense has been in, Toronto will score.

Kei Kamara has been on form recently and has scored four goals this year, contributing to the 26-7 run the team has been on in Gillette. He will be a player to watch.

The Revs need to focus on highly accurate crosses to stay in this game. Lee Nguyen will be helpful here as he has the ability to put the ball wherever he pleases. Nguyen leads the team in both goals and assists with six apiece.

Also, as we were reminded against NYCFC, Kelyn Rowe has skills too. Watch out for another SportsCenter Top-10 like this against Toronto.

Projected Starters

GK: Cody Cropper – Andrew Farrell, Benjamin Angoua, Antonio Mlinar Delamea, Kelyn Rowe – Bobby Caldwell, Gershon Koffie – Lee Nguyen, Daigo Kobayashi, Diego Fagundez – Kei Kamara

Toronto FC

What is there to change about how Toronto has been playing so far? They’re top of the league with 29 points, going 8-5-1 so far.

Toronto are currently 11-1 during their last 12 regular season road games dating back to last season.

In their six road matches this season, Toronto have scored an average of 1.3 goals. They’ve only allowed .9 to be scored against them per road game. Three of their six games ended in a clean sheet.

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Without two star players the team might not quite keep up with their averages this week but the depth of the team is astounding. I can’t see it slowing them down too much.

Projected Starters

GK: Alex Bono — Eriq Zavaleta, Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga — Steven Beitashour, Marky Delgado, Benoit Cheyrou, Victor Vazquez, Justin Morrow — Sebastian Giovinco, Tosaint Ricketts

Prediction

In the all-time series the New England Revolution have been dominant against Toronto FC. Revs have won 10, lost 5 and have drawn 9 while outscoring Toronto 40-26. It’s even more lopsided in Gillette Stadium.

The last time these two played was last August, when the Revs lost 4-1. Toronto has also never won back to back games against New England.

The problem with those stats is that they’re from the past and Toronto is much better now than they have been. The Revs are also not quite as good as years past.

Next: What made the Boston Celtics so special this year?

History says Revolution but this game will be played in the present.

I expect Toronto FC to win 4-2.

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