Will be back in the press box for tomorrow’s MLS clash between the New England Revolution and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Both teams come into the match badly in need of a win. The Revolution have 10 points from 9 matches while the Whitecaps have 8 points from 10 matches.
Last Match
New England were held to a scoreless draw at home to Colorado last Saturday, while Vancouver came back for a late 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes in midweek.
Team News
New England
The goalless draw against Colorado was the fourth time the Revs have been shutout in their last five games. After the game, New England coach Steve Nicol said: “We need to go and sign someone who is creative, in the next transfer window [in June]. It’s something we are trying to do, something we are working on — we need to be more creative in the midfield. We didn’t give anything up and we passed it [against Colorado] but we’re lacking creativity.’’ Strange comment as I thought that is why the Revs signed Benny Feilhaber last month.
Vancouver
With the draw against San Jose, the Whitecaps have now gone nine games without a win in MLS. After scoring seven goals in their first three MLS games, Vancouver has managed just five over their last seven games. To make matters even harder for the Whitecaps, the game versus New England will be their seventh match in 21 days.
Injury Report:
New England:
OUT: MF Ousmane Dabo (R adductor strain); DF Didier Domi (L quadriceps strain); MF Marko Perovic (L knee sprain); QUESTIONABLE: DF Otto Loewy (L & R gastroc strain); MF Pat Phelan (L shin contusion); PROBABLE: FW Rajko Lekic (R knee sprain) …
Vancouver:
OUT: FW Atiba Harris (R knee surgery); MF John Thorrington (R calf strain); QUESTIONABLE: DF Jay DeMerit (groin strain); MF Michael Nanchoff (groin strain)
Prediction
Both teams are in desperate need of a win here, which should make it an exciting game. New England comes into the game rested while Vancouver will be trying to break an MLS trend. In 24 tries so far this season, no road team playing three time zones from their home city has come away with a victory. Over those two dozen games, the away team has an abysmal 0-12-12 record and has been outscored a shocking 34-14, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Score: New England 2 Vancouver 0
