Union 2 - 1 Revolution
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Union-Revolution Preview

Aug 27, 2010 - 5:22 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Philadelphia (4-11-5) at New England (6-11-3), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Coming off a road trip in which they failed to come away with any points, the New England Revolution's chances of reaching the playoffs for a ninth straight year appear bleak.

A home match against the expansion Philadelphia Union could be just what New England needs.

The Revolution look to win their fourth straight at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night against the Union, who recorded their only road win almost three months ago.

New England (6-11-3) hasn't missed the playoffs since 2001, but are seven points out of the final postseason spot with 10 games remaining.

"It's not ideal by any measure, but we know we can do it," midfielder Pat Phelan told the Revolution's official website. "I think we have the mentality for it and I think we have the players who can pull those types of performances out."

New England has proven it can pile up points quickly, going 3-0-1 from July 10-Aug. 14. It followed that stretch with losses in Chicago and Kansas City.

Last Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Wizards was especially discouraging. New England mustered just two shots on goal and surrendered goals four minutes apart after trailing 2-1.

"From here on out we have to get three points everywhere we go," captain Shalrie Joseph said. "We've got to realize that our backs are against the wall and that we need three points to be one of those teams in the eight (playoff teams) at the end of the season.

"Going against Philadelphia, we know we've got to get three at home."

The Revolution have outscored their opponents 4-0 in winning their last three at Gillette Stadium, and are 5-3-2 there this year. Goalkeeper Matt Reis, who missed the start of the season while recovering from surgery, is 3-0-1 at home, stopping 16 of 18 shots with three shutouts.

New England needs to take advantage of its final five home games, considering it's 1-8-1 on the road.

The Union (4-11-5), who lost to D.C. United 2-0 last Saturday to fall to 0-3-3 since July 17, have similar road woes.

The Union are 1-9-1 away from Philadelphia, and have been outscored 10-3 in going 0-4-1 on the road since winning in Houston on May 29.

"I think (the key to having more success on the road) is to keep our head up and really give everything every time even if it's not going our way," Sebastien Le Toux told the Union's official website. "We still have lots of energy and we can't give up. So it's just to continue to play hard and win a game away and try to do our best every time."

Le Toux leads Philadelphia with nine goals and nine assists, but hasn't scored in a season-worst four straight games. He scored in the 25th minute in a 1-all tie against the Revolution on July 31. New England's Marko Perovic answered with a goal off a free kick in the 71st minute.

Perovic, who is tied with Zack Schilawski for the team lead with five goals, is questionable with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.






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