The Bent Musket Predicts: New England Revolution at Los Angeles FC

New England scored a major win in the Bronx two weeks ago, handing NYCFC its first home loss of the season. However, they still remain out of playoff contention. Will that huge result serve as a turning point in a season that’s quickly winding down?

The Revs will need a similar performance on Saturday night in LA against another strong home opponent. LAFC have lost just once in thirteen matches at Banc of California Stadium and have allowed only 10 goals to visiting teams all season. In fact, they’ve posted shutouts in their last two matches there.

Overall, Bob Bradley’s squad is on a four-game unbeaten run. Does New England have another gut-check match in them? Can they get another momentous result? Their playoff prospects may hang in the balance.

Results Comparison: Same Opponent/Same Venue

@NYRB: LAFC - L NE - L

@VAN: LAFC - W NE - D

vDCU: LAFC - D NE - W

vPOR: LAFC - D NE - D

vSKC: LAFC - L NE - W

vCOL: LAFC - W NE - W

@SJ: LAFC - W NE - D

vLAG: LAFC - D NE - L

@MTL: LAFC - W NE - L

vFCD: LAFC - D NE - L

@HOU: LAFC - D NE - W

@MIN: LAFC - L NE - L

vNYCFC: LAFC - D NE - D

vCLB: LAFC - W NE - L

vSEA: LAFC - W NE - D

vPHI: LAFC - W NE - L

Overall: LAFC 7-3-6 NE 4-7-5

Here are The Bent Musket staff picks for tonight:

Seth: LAFC 3 NE 1

Comment: When they last played, the Revs got a very important (and unexpected) win against NYCFC on the road. I don’t see that happening against when they travel across the country to gave LAFC. Don’t be surprised if Nguyen is extra influential on Saturday.

Tony: LAFC 2 NE 1

Comment: New England’s been playing better defensively, and they’ve been decent on the road despite a less-than-stellar record. They may have just enough confidence from the NYCFC win to squeeze out a result, although I doubt it’s three points as Brad Friedel seems to think. LAFC is solid at home, but the matches there are often low-scoring, and they may be missing some key pieces such as Diomande. However, I believe LAFC has more than enough quality for a win, but I’m hopeful the Revs can grab a draw. Any points would be huge.

Jake: LAFC 3 NE 0

Comment: Lee Nguyen scores a hat trick with all three goals assisted by one Benny F Feilhaber. This would be the biggest Revs Twitter meltdown ever of all time and deservedly so and I want to see it happen.

Sean: LAFC 2 NE 2

Comment: After a win against NYCFC on the road, I’d like to say the Revs will have momentum heading into this match against LAFC and former Rev, Nguyen. Friedel will likely ask more of his players to keep postseason hopes alive but to also use Nguyen holding out and leaving the Revs as motivation to beat LAFC. I do think LAFC are too good for the Revs to beat on the road but the Revs will give it their all.

Summary

NE win: 0

LAFC win: 3

Draw: 1

*Point allocation: Result = 3; Score (both teams) = 2; Score (one team) = 1

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