Situated at different ends of the MLS Eastern Conference standings, New York Red Bulls and Supporters' Shield contenders New England Revolution clash in Harrison on Saturday.
While the Red Bulls lost last time out and sit 12th in the table, the Revs held runaway leaders Cincinnati to a draw last weekend and occupy third place.
Match preview
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Following a 2-1 loss at Columbus Crew in their most recent match, New York Red Bulls slipped further off the pace in their pursuit of playoff qualification in the Eastern Conference.
Troy Lesesne's side reverted to type in Ohio, as after their shock 4-0 victory over Atlanta United a week earlier, they could not respond having fallen behind for a second time against the high-flying Crew.
Nonetheless, NYRB have found success more frequently at Red Bull Arena in 2023, losing only once at home since early May and winning on four occasions.
In their most recent matches in Harrison, the Red Bulls battled back from two goals down to draw with Charlotte FC before upsetting Atlanta in spectacular style, but they now face two tough fixtures on home soil in the coming days: after hosting New England this weekend, Cincinnati will follow next Wednesday.
New York boast a 7-1-2 record in their last 10 home games against the Revs, though, and won both MLS meetings between the clubs last season.
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While they have often returned home empty-handed after visiting Saturday's hosts, New England come into this season's contest on a seven-match unbeaten run and sit third in the Eastern Conference.
They also occupy the same position in the Supporters' Shield standings - with a healthy average of 1.85 points per game - following an absorbing 2-2 draw with Cincinnati last week, when Gustavo Bou played a part in both goals for the Foxborough-based side.
While the Revs could not close a seven-point gap to their opponents at the top of the standings, they have still won three of their last four matches and possess the longest ongoing undefeated streak in MLS.
Bruce Arena's side were the first team to come away from TQL Stadium with a point in 2023, after Cincinnati had won all 10 of their previous home fixtures, and will now seek their first win on the road since beating Toronto in May.
That might not prove such a straightforward task, as New England may have won seven from 10 in Massachusetts so far, but they have tasted victory just three times away from Gillette Stadium.
Team News
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Troy Lesesne will still be without defender John Tolkin and forward Cory Burke this weekend, after both missed New York's last three matches while on international duty.
Serge Ngoma (hamstring) and Lewis Morgan (hip) are out of action through injury, but Dante Vanzeir has recently returned from a hamstring problem.
Red Bulls centre-back Andres Reyes has scored two goals from only two shots on goal against New England in three previous meetings - including one on his first start for the club. This year, the Colombian ranks second in interceptions in MLS and sits third in the aerial duels rankings.
The visitors, meanwhile, will be missing captain and leading scorer Carles Gil on Saturday night, as he serves a ban for yellow-card accumulation.
That leaves behind big boots to fill, as the Spanish star has found the net seven times this term and is tied for third in the league with nine assists; Giacomo Vrioni is among the contenders to deputise.
In addition to long-term absentee Dylan Borrero, injured trio Henry Kessler (hamstring), Maciel (Achilles) and Christian Makoun (leg) are unavailable for the Revs, while DeJuan Jones remains at the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the United States.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Carlos; Harper, Reyes, Nealis, Duncan; Edelman, Amaya; Yearwood, Luquinhas; Barlow, Manoel
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Romney, Spaulding; Blessing, Polster, Boateng; Wood, Bou, Vrioni
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-1 New England Revolution
Despite last week's defeat, New York Red Bulls have recently turned things around and pose more of a threat to visiting teams. However, New England have racked up 35 goals this season - the fourth-most throughout MLS - and should journey home with at least one point.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
