The Bent Musket predicts: Crew SC at Revolution

The Eastern Conference’s second-place Columbus Crew SC visit New England for the first and only time this regular season. Their previous meeting in Ohio, just a few weeks ago, produced an exhilarating 2-2 draw. Since then, Crew SC has won three at home and drawn once on the road, and they haven’t allowed a single goal in the past three matches.

The clubs split two matches last year, each winning their respective home game. The Revs' last loss to Crew SC at Gillette occurred a year earlier in 2016. Can the Revolution continue their decent home form (4-1-1) against the only team in MLS yielding less than one goal per match?

Our staff was almost perfect vs Toronto FC. Can they make it two in a row?

Seth: Revs 1, Crew 2

Comment: The Revs losing at home is a rarity, but the Crew are red hot as of late and I think they’ll grab a win at Gillette Stadium. I’m a huge fan of Gregg Berhalter and believe he’ll have his team well-prepared, especially since there’s more tape out there providing insight into the mind of Brad Friedel.

Jake: Revs 2, Crew 1

Comment: Columbus’ defense has been really stellar of late, but they had problems with the Revs last month and I expect they will again. New England needs to avoid the incredibly frantic pace that the second half in Columbus was played at and take control of the match early like they did against Toronto. If the Revs can learn how to close out matches with possession in the late stages and give their defense a breather, then New England could be the playoff team their early form indicates they might be. There’s no better team to test the Revs right now than a home rematch against the Crew.

Tony: Revs 2 Crew SC 1

Comment: Despite Columbus’ recent form, I think the Revs can grab full points, even absent their number ten Diego Fagundez and midfielder Juan Agudelo. Herivaux probably gets the start, along with Caldwell for Juan, and maybe Rowe subs in early if Heriveaux is in over his head. New England showed me something in Columbus last month, gutting out a draw. Crew SC has beaten subpar clubs at home during their current run, so I think New England, at home on turf, presents a formidable challenge to Columbus. I can see Higuain and Zardes getting involved in a goal, maybe with help from one of their outside backs. I can also see the Revs getting one on a turnover as Crew SC keeps building out of the back. Maybe the Revs score another on a set piece or penalty.

Nick: Revs 1 Crew SC 1

Comment: The Revolution - Crew SC rivalry has taken a backseat in recent years, though the intensity of the matchup never disappoints. I imagine we’ll see another scrappy affair with both sides creating their share of opportunities. But I don’t imagine we’ll see a flurry of goals. While settling for a 1-1 draw, I expect the Revs bend-not-break defense to absorb pressure and limit Crew SC to a lone goal, and the Revs attack—though shorthanded—to manufacture a lone goal of its own.

Sean: Revs 3 Crew SC 1

Comment: The Revs will pick up where they left off against defending MLS champs, Toronto, putting three past them a week prior. The Crew has been defending well as of late, posting three straight clean sheets but when at home, the Revs have seemed to be capable of anything. With Fagundez suspended it might seem unlikely for the Revs to score three, but I’m predicting Penilla to have another strong game, influencing the play of other Revs around him. The Crew are bound to have a rough game and the Revs will certainly do everything they can to make sure to give them their first loss since early April.

Summary:

NE win: 3

CLB win: 1

Draw: 1

* correct result = 3; correct score (both teams) = 2; correct score (1 team) = 1

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments section below!