Enjoying their best-ever start to a Major League Soccer season, Nashville SC travel to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Nashville extended their unbeaten run to three games with a 2-0 victory over CF Montreal last weekend, while New England suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Los Angeles FC.
Match preview
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The New England Revolution kicked off their 2023 MLS campaign with back-to-back wins, claiming a 1-0 victory at Charlotte FC before crushing Houston Dynamo 3-0 to generate a taste of early-season optimism in Foxborough.
However, the Revs were brought back down to earth with a bang last weekend as they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to reigning MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC, who produced a dominant display on home soil.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession, New England managed a solitary attempt on target at BMO Stadium, while LAFC racked up 18 shots – 12 of which were on target.
After winning the Supporters' Shield in 2021, Bruce Arena's men missed out on the post-season altogether last year, making it difficult to predict exactly how they will fare in 2023.
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Meanwhile, Nashville SC secured a 2-0 win against CF Montreal last time out, despite seeing just 34% of the ball at Geodis Park, with Jacob Shaffelburg and Taylor Washington grabbing the goals for the hosts.
Thanks to a 2-0 victory over New York City FC and a goalless draw with the New York Red Bulls, Nashville have taken seven points from a possible nine this year, making their best start to an MLS campaign since joining the league in 2020.
It is also worth noting that Gary Smith's side are yet to concede a single goal this season, with goalkeeper Joe Willis keeping three consecutive clean sheets to help his team achieve the league's best defensive record in 2023.
Having qualified for the playoffs in each of the past three seasons – securing back-to-back top-five finishes in the Western Conference in 2021 and 2022 – the team from Tennessee are more than ready to take on the Eastern Conference this year.
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Team News
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The New England Revolution's lengthy injury list contains Andrew Farrell (leg), Nacho Gil (leg), Tommy McNamara (leg), Maciel (Achilles), Jacob Jackson (ACL) and Ryan Spaulding (leg).
Bobby Wood bagged a goal and an assist in the 3-0 win against Houston Dynamo, so the former Bundesliga striker will continue to join Dylan Borrero and Gustavo Bou in attack.
As for Nashville SC, Randall Leal has missed the past two games due to injury and is also expected to miss Saturday's clash, joining Nick DePuy and Anibal Godoy on the club's injury list.
Having racked up 14 goals and 17 assists since arriving in Tennessee in 2020, Leal is a big miss for the visitors, although 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar – who notched 26 goals and eight assists last year – will make up for Leal's absence.
Teal Bunbury will no doubt be desperate to score against his former club at Gillette Stadium, as the forward made over 200 appearances for the Revs between 2014 and 2021.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Kessler, Romney, Jones; Polster; Blessing, Buck; Bou; Wood, Borrero
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Davis, McCarty; Picault, Mukhtar, Shaffelburg; Bunbury
We say: New England Revolution 1-1 Nashville SC
Nashville look set to extend their unbeaten run to four games on Saturday, although the visitors may have to settle for a point against New England, as Arena's men will be eager steady the ship following last weekend's humiliation at LAFC.
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Top tip
Ben Morris
