Revolution vs. Red Bulls 2013: Preview and Game Notes

It's tough to take tonight's match seriously in the light of all the events of the past week, but nevertheless, the New England Revolution will face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. New York is searching for some consistency, while the Revs are searching for something resembling an offense.

It's not a bad opportunity for the Revs to spark a little offense, either. Saer Sene is presumably closer to 100%, Jerry Bengtson scored his first MLS goal against New York, and the Red Bulls' defense is the second-worst in the league in terms of goals allowed with 11. It should be noted, however, that they've also played eight games so far this season, the most of any team in MLS regular season play.

It's also a good opportunity for us to get another true, critical look at the Revs much-vaunted defense. New York is not a bad offensive team; if Thierry Henry is healthy, they're actually a damn good one. This game could be a defining moment of the 2013 season for both sides of the ball.

REVOLUTION INJURY REPORT

QUESTIONABLE: Scott Caldwell (R Ankle Sprain); Matt Reis (L Knee Irritation); Saer Sene (L ACL Tear); Juan Toja (L Knee Irritation)
OUT: Kevin Alston (Disabled List/Illness); Chad Barrett (L Hamstring Strain)

RED BULLS INJURY REPORT

QUESTIONABLE: Peguy Luyindula (L Hamstring Injury); Jamison Olave (L Knee Injury)
OUT: Digao (Heel Injury); Ryan Meara (Hip Surgery Recovery)

SUSPENSIONS

Juninho (New York, Red Card Suspension)

TEAM NOTES

• The Revs lead the all-time, regular-season series with the New York Red Bulls (formerly the New York/New Jersey MetroStars), 26-19-13
• On the road, the Revs are 8-15-7 all-time against New York, including an 0-3-0 regular-season mark at Red Bull Arena since the stadium opened in 2010
• Saturday's game will mark the 59th regular-season meeting and 67th all-time between the Revolution and Red Bulls in MLS regular-season, postseason and tournament action combined, which is the most meetings against any opponent in Revs history
• Saturday's match is the first of three regular-season meetings between the two clubs this year...the teams will also meet at Gillette Stadium on May 11, and close the three-game series at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 5
• The teams split the 2012 season series with a 1-1-1 record...the Revs dropped a 1-0 decision on April 28 at Red Bull Arena, but earned a 2-0 win on July 8 at Gillette Stadium...the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the final meeting of the year at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 22
• Five of the last seven games have been one-goal games or draws, dating back to May 29, 2010...in those five "close" games, the Revs are 1-2-2...the largest margin of victory in that span was two goals - by the Red Bulls in 2-0 victory on Oct. 21, 2010 and by New England in 2-0 win on July 8, 2012
• Since the Red Bulls re-branded from the Metrostars in 2006, the Revs have posted an 8-3-8 record against New York
• New England and New York have met in the postseason three times - all since 2003 - and the Revs have eliminated New York on each occasion...the clubs most recent playoff encounter was in the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, which the Revs won, 1-0, on aggregate

PLAYER NOTES

• Chad Barrett has scored four goals against New York, all coming in 2008 - two each while playing with Chicago and Toronto
• Andy Dorman, despite not playing a game against New York since 2007, is the Revs' leading active scorer against the Red Bulls with two goals...Dorman's last goal against the Red Bulls came on July 7, 2007, in a 1-0 win at Giants Stadium...Steve Ralston assisted on that goal, his 115th-career assist to assume the MLS career lead in the category
• Jerry Bengtson scored his first career goal in his MLS debut against New York when the two teams met on July 8, 2012
• Lee Nguyen has one goal in three appearances against New York ... Nguyen scored the game-winner on July 8, 2012, in Foxborough
• Two other current players - Sainey Nyassi and Clyde Simms - have also scored single goals against New York
• Chris Tierney leads all current Revolution players with two assists in seven appearances - including the game-winning assist on July 8, 2012
• Matt Reis is the only other Revs player to record an assist against New York
• Matt Reis is 10-4-7 in his Revolution career against the Red Bulls, posting a 1.27 goals-against average and six shutouts
• Bobby Shuttleworth is 2-1-2 in his Revolution career against New York, with a 1.31 goals-against average and one shutout...Shuttleworth - a native of Tonawanda, New York (a Buffalo suburb) - went 1-0-1 in a pair of games against New York last year

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: CSN New England, 7 PM EST
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub, 7 PM EST