After ending their three-game losing streak, the Colorado Rapids will look to keep rolling when they visit the New England Revolution on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.
The Rapids (7-8-4, 25 points) broke out of their slump with Wednesday’s 2-0 home victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Though the Galaxy held 63.9 percent of the possession and a 14-8 shots advantage, Colorado’s defense held steady for the club’s third shutout in its last six matches.
“Collectively, the team handled (the Galaxy’s attack) well by controlling the transition moments … Tactically we stuck to it, and individually guys carried their weight,” Rapids coach Chris Armas said.
Djordje Mihailovic and Calvin Harris each scored within a five-minute span in the first half, which amounted to an offensive explosion by Colorado’s recent standards. The Rapids had been held to one or fewer goals in each of their previous nine matches.
Offense may continue to be at a premium on Saturday. Both Colorado (20 goals) and New England (21 goals) are two of the league’s lower-scoring teams, and the Revolution have allowed the fewest goals (18) of any club in MLS.
The sturdy Revs’ defense is coming off an uncharacteristic breakdown, as Sam Surridge scored a hat trick against New England in Wednesday’s 3-2 win for Nashville SC. The Revolution (6-6-5, 23 points) twice held leads before Surridge equalized, and the star forward’s final goal came on a penalty kick in the 58th minute.
Coming off such a disappointing loss, “you want the next (match) as soon as possible,” Revs midfielder Jackson Yueill said.
“We want to respond … We want to be better at home, so it’s another opportunity Saturday.”
Following a nine-match unbeaten streak (5-0-4) in regular-season play, New England has now lost its last two matches, both at home. The Revolution are 2-4-1 on their own field this season, and the Rapids are 2-4-2 on the road.
New England is 5-0-1 over its last six home matches against Colorado. The Rapids haven’t won in Foxborough since April 24, 2010.
Mihailovic leads Colorado in goals (eight) and goal contributions (11). Carles Gil leads the Revolution in both goals (six) and assists (five).
–Field Level Media
