Revolution vs. Fire: Preview, Injury Report, and Game Notes

The New England Revolution are ready to return from an extra week off for the international break as they prepare to take on the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. The evening's Eastern Conference rivalry clash marks the final home match of a disappointing 2012 season for the Revolution. Chicago, on the other hand, has had a great season, and are playing for home field advantage in the playoffs after already clinching their berth and second place in the conference.

Much like against Philadelphia two weeks ago, this match is about naught but pride and jobs for the Revs. With a lineup decimated by injuries and suspensions, head coach Jay Heaps was forced to play several players out of position and even give one or two guys some chances they may not have otherwise had; Saturday night will likely include more of the same. With eight players on the injury report and one suspended, Heaps might have difficulty fielding a full bench, let alone a balanced starting lineup.

REVOLUTION INJURY REPORT

QUESTIONABLE: A.J. Soares (R Knee Sprain), Chris Tierney (L Knee Sprain, L Hamstring Strain), Juan Toja (L Knee Swelling)
OUT: Florian Lechner (R MCL Sprain), Stephen McCarthy (Concussive-Like Symptoms), Lee Nguyen (R Shoulder Surgery), Tyler Polak (R Foot Sprain), Saer Sene (L ACL Surgery)

FIRE INJURY REPORT

QUESTIONABLE: Pavel Pardo (L Calf Tightness)
OUT: Cory Gibbs (R Knee Meniscus Repair), Wells Thompson (L Ankle Contusion)

SUSPENSIONS

REVOLUTION: Benny Feilhaber (one match, second yellow dismissal)

TEAM NOTES

• Saturday's match will be the 43rd MLS regular-season meeting between the two teams and the 62nd meeting overall, including MLS Cup playoffs, U.S. Open Cup and SuperLiga meetings
• Chicago leads the all-time regular-season series between the two teams, 19-14-9 ... in all meetings, Chicago holds a 29-22-10 edge in the series
• The Revs are 10-8-3 against the Fire in Foxborough, including an 8-5-2 record at Gillette Stadium
• The Revs' 2-0 victory on June 2 against the Fire snapped the Revs' 10-game winless streak (0-7-3) against Chicago in the regular season that dated back to October 6, 2007
• Saturday's match concludes the three-game regular-season series between the two clubs this year ... the Revs won the first meeting, 2-0, on June 2, at Gillette Stadium while Chicago won, 2-1, at Toyota Park on Aug. 18
• Chicago won the 2011 regular-season series after defeating New England, 3-2, on Sept. 25 at Chicago following a 1-1 draw on June 18, at Gillette Stadium
• The Revs are a combined 3-10-4 in all competitions against the Fire since the start of the 2008 season ... that record includes 11 regular-season games, four playoff matches and two SuperLiga games
• New England and Chicago have met at least five times per season (regular-season, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, SuperLiga) six times since 2002 ... in 2007 and 2004, the clubs only played each other four times each ... the high came in 2006 when the teams met seven times - four times in the regular season, twice in the playoffs and once in the Open Cup
• The Revs and Fire have met in seven of the last 10 postseasons (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) ... in total, the teams have met in the playoffs in eight seasons, all since 2000

PLAYER NOTES

• Ryan Guy is the team's active leading scorer against Chicago with has two goals in three appearances against the Fire ... Guy recorded two stoppage-time goals at Chicago on Sept. 25, 2011
• Kelyn Rowe has recorded one goal and one assist against Chicago, both coming on June 2, 2012
• Benny Feilhaber also recorded a goal and an assist in the 2-0 victory against the Fire on June 2, 2012
• Fernando Cardenas is the only other active Revolution player to score a goal against Chicago as he scored the Revs' lone goal in the 2-1 loss when the teams last met on Aug. 18, 2012
• Diego Fagundez recorded his first career assist on Ryan Guy's second goal against Chicago on Sept. 25, 2011
• Matt Reis is the Revolution's all-time wins leader against the Fire with eight, and has posted a 1.45 goals against average and six shutouts ... Reis also has three career postseason shutouts in seven appearances against Chicago

BROADCAST INFORMATION: TV: CSN Alternate Channels, 7:30 PM EST; RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub, 7:30 PM EST