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For the first time in his Revolution career, Jose Goncalves will not be available today, ending his consecutive minutes played streak with the team that dated back to the season opener of 2013. Goncalves had never missed a minute of play with the Revs before.
Darrius Barnes will replace Goncalves in the starting lineup. The versatile defender played a majority of the opener against Houston coming on for the injured Kevin Alston in the first half at right back.
Jay Heaps has also abandoned his preferred 4-1-4-1 this week, opting to pair Scott Caldwell with veteran Andy Dorman in the holding midfield, with the returning Lee Nguyen playing above them in the center midfield spot.
Donnie Smith will make just his second start and appearance for the New England Revolution as they take on the Philadelphia Union today in PPL Park.
REVOLUTION LINEUP (4-2-3-1)
Shuttleworth; Tierney (C); Soares, Barnes, Farrell; Dorman, Caldwell; Fagundez, Nguyen, Smith; Bunbury
UNION LINEUP (4-3-3)
MacMath, Fabinho, Berry, Okugo, Gaddis, Edu, Carroll (C), Nogueira, Maidana, McInerney, Le Toux
Well, I have to consider myself shocked in more ways that one. Putting Kelyn Rowe (who is carrying a hamstring knock) and Jose Goncalves (out with injury), two of the teams better players doesn't bode well for the today's game. Goncalves wasn't good last week, but he's still the team's captain and defensive leader. Rowe was a bright spot, linking up well in the rare times the Revs actually attacked last week. It wouldn't surprise me to see Rowe inserted sooner rather than later if this plan doesn't start off well.
Donnie Smith at left wing is also surprising, since he played so much at left back in the preseason. It will be interesting to see how he and Chris Tierney work on the left flank with the overlaps and switching off defenders.
No changes for the Union, head coach John Hackworth going with the same lineup that drew 1-1 in Portland last week.
Discuss the lineups below and check out the preview of the game here. Kickoff is scheduled for 4PM EST.