The top two in the Eastern Conference of the 2023 Major League Soccer season will do battle at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday as New England Revolution entertain the challenge of FC Cincinnati.
The teams are currently separated only on goal difference after the first nine matches, and this weekend's clash promises to be an enthralling affair.
Match preview
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New England Revolution showed great resolve to ease past Hartford Athletic in the sides' US Open Cup encounter on Wednesday, which ended in a 2-1 win.
Bruce Arena's men took the lead early on through Justin Rennicks but were pegged back by Antoine Hoppenot before David Romney grabbed the winner half an hour into the second period.
Prior to that, the Revs narrowly defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-1 to retain their slender lead at the top of the Eastern Conference of the MLS table.
Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who boast just two victories from the previous nine meetings between the teams since 2018.
Having won four and drawn one of their five league matches on home turf so far, Sunday's hosts will be looking to put on a show in front of what is set to be an expectant home crowd.
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FC Cincinnati secured safe passage into the last 32 of the US Open Cup thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Louisville City on Thursday morning.
Pat Noonan's men left it late as they took the lead in the 85th minute through Arquimides Ordonez to settle a cagey and nervy affair at TQL Stadium.
This came off the back of a 2-1 win over Portland Timbers, which saw the Orange and Blue remain second in the Eastern Conference, level on points with division leaders New England Revolution.
With just five of their 20 points so far coming in away matches, Sunday's visitors now prepare for what is set to be another daunting assignment on the road.
Team News
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New England's Jacob Jackson is out with a cruciate ligament injury, while fellow long-term absentee Lucas Maciel continues to nurse an Achilles tendon problem.
Tommy McNamara and Henry Kessler also miss out for the hosts through injury, although the latter is expected to return to action in the coming weeks.
Carles Gil has racked up six direct goal contributions in his eight MLS games this term, and the Spaniard is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Kenneth Vermeer has not featured for Cincinnati since July due to a torn muscle which is set to keep the goalkeeper out of Sunday's game as well.
After making his comeback from a knee injury last time out, 29-year-old Yuya Kubo could be recalled to the visitors' starting XI for this one.
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Bye, Farrell, Romney, Makoun; Polster, Buck; Boateng, Gil, Bajraktarevic; Vrioni
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Miazga, Mosquera; Gaddis, Nwobodo, Moreno, Barreal; Acosta, Santos, Vazquez
We say: New England Revolution 2-1 FC Cincinnati
There is little to separate the teams heading into this weekend's clash which could easily swing either way. However, we just about fancy New England Revolution to make home advantage count and emerge triumphant from what should be a cracking contest.
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