• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Real Salt Lake-Revolution Preview

Aug 22, 2009 - 7:09 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Real Salt Lake (7-8-6) at New England (7-6-6), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The New England Revolution aren't currently in playoff position, but being one of the Eastern Conference's top defensive clubs has them hoping they can make a push for the postseason.

Their play on the back end wasn't quite so stellar the last time they met Real Salt Lake.

The Revolution gave up six second-half goals to Salt Lake while being handed the worst loss in franchise history earlier this season, a debacle they'll try to avenge Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

New England (7-6-6) has allowed 24 goals - tied for the fewest in the East - and though it's currently eight points out of one of the conference's two automatic playoff spots, coach Steve Nicol's club has three games in hand on the four teams above it.

The Revolution have been particularly good defensively of late, conceding three total goals during their recent 3-1-2 stretch.

New England was good enough Thursday at Seattle that goalkeeper Matt Reis didn't have to make a save. Shalrie Joseph's 21st-minute goal helped carry the Revs to a 1-0 victory.

"(Reis) did a great job and so did the defenders," Nicol said. "The back four, that is their job, they kept a good line and shape. The goalie was solid, sound and never looked like he was in too much trouble."

Reis wasn't in goal when New England visited Real Salt Lake (7-8-6) on April 25. Brad Knighton was overwhelmed in the 6-0 loss as Real posted its largest margin of victory.

Six players scored, including Robbie Findley, who leads Salt Lake with eight goals.

"All we can do is go up from here right?" New England midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said after the loss. "I mean, nobody has ever lost a championship in the sixth week."

Two of Real's goal scorers from that victory won't be available for this game, however. Center back Jamison Olave will miss his third game this season to suspension - this time through caution accumulation - while Clint Mathis will sit after being sent off last Saturday in a scoreless draw with visiting Houston.

Real is 6-1-4 at home, but 1-7-2 away from Rio Tinto Stadium.

Salt Lake came away with a point against the West's top team playing with 10 men for the final half, and it also welcomed the return of defender Robbie Russell and second-leading scorer Yura Movsisyan from injury.

Still, after outshooting the Dynamo 16-3, Real was disappointed it didn't come away with more.

"It's one of those things where the No. 1 team in our conference comes in and we pretty much dominate the game," Russell said. "Should have come out with three points. Came out with one. It's not ideal, but it's not zero points."

The teams played to a 2-all draw in Salt Lake's last visit to Massachusetts on Oct. 4.