FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (6-11-5, 23 pts.) remains home this week and welcomes the inaugural visit from the Montreal Impact (9-13-3, 30 pts.) at 7 p.m., on Sunday, August 12, at Gillette Stadium followed by the stadium’s first-ever boxing match. Framingham, Mass. native “Irish” Danny O’Connor will headline a live professional boxing card in an on-field ring against Pawtucket, Rhode Island’s Eddie Soto following the Revolution-Montreal game at approximately 9 p.m.
The Revolution match will be televised regionally on Comcast SportsNet and will also be carried locally on the radio by 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Sunday’s match against Montreal will mark the second-ever meeting between the two teams, with a third match scheduled for October 27 at Saputo Stadium. The Impact defeated the Revs, 2-1, in the inaugural meeting on July 18, in Montreal.
TEAM NOTES
Matt Reis Bobblehead Night Sunday
Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis has been in net here in New England since 2003 and on Sunday, fans can take home a small version of Reis at the New England-Montreal match … fans can pick up their commemorative Reis bobblehead, while supplies last, when the gates open at 6 p.m. ... for more info, click HERE.
First-Ever Boxing Match at Gillette Stadium to Follow Revs on Sunday Night
Following the Revs-Impact match on Sunday night, the New England Revolution, in association with by Warrior Boxing and DiBella Entertainment, will present Gillette Stadium’s first-ever boxing match … Framingham, Mass. native “Irish” Danny O’Connor will headline a live professional boxing card at the stadium against Pawtucket, Rhode Island’s Eddie Soto … the boxing event will commence after the final whistle of the Revolution match at approximately 9 p.m … for ticketing information: click HERE.
Expansion Teams Are Welcomed Guests
The Montreal Impact will make their first-ever trip to Gillette Stadium on Sunday – a place that has lacked hospitality for expansion teams in inaugural visits … since 2006, the Revs are 4-1-2 against expansion or relocated teams in the first meeting at Gillette Stadium … last season, the Revs tied Portland, 1-1 (April 4), and defeated Vancouver, 1-0 (May 14), in each team’s first visit to Foxborough.
Handful of Winless Games
Saturday’s 1-0 loss extended the Revs’ winless streak to five games (0-4-1) dating back to July 14 against Toronto … the winless streak is the team’s longest of the season and is the first string of five-winless since a six-game winless streak (0-5-1) in the final six matches of the 2011 season.
Attacking Shutout Costs Revs Points
The Revs recorded 10 shots – including three on frame -- against Kansas City, but were unable to convert shots into goals … Saturday’s attacking shutout was the team’s eighth of the season and second in three games dating back to the 0-0 finish at KC on July 21 … last season, the Revs were held scoreless 10 times in the 34-game season.
Goal-Scoring Scarce in Recent Stretch
After beginning the summer months on a scorching, scoring surge, the team has cooled off and has struggled to find goals … in five games from June 2 to July 8, the Revs averaged 1.6 goals per game after four multiple-goal contests and just one attacking shutout … in the last five matches dating back to July 14 against Toronto, the team has scored two goals – averaging 0.40 goals per game – and have been shut out three times.
Two Straight One-Goal Contests
More than one half of the Revolution’s matches this season have finished in a one-goal game following Saturday’s second consecutive one-goal game … the Revs have played 12 one-goal games through 22 matches this year … the Revs are 2-10-0 in those games as the team’s .167 winning percentage in one-goal contests is a league-low … since defeating Colorado, 2-1, on May 2, the team has dropped its last seven one-goal games.
Stingy Second-Half Defense…
For the second time in three games, the Revs have held their opponent scoreless in the second half … the Revs lead MLS for fewest goals allowed (10) in the final forty five minutes and have conceded an average of just 0.45 goals per game after the halftime whistle … the Revs have posted 12 second-half shutouts this season.
…But Revs Need Second-Half Scoring
After conceding an early goal on Saturday, the Revs were held scoreless in the second half en route to a 1-0 defeat … with the loss, the Revs remain winless (0-6-2) this season when trailing at halftime … additionally, the Revs have not scored a second-half goal in five straight games … when the Revs score early and lead at halftime, the team has much improved marks (5-1-0).
Return of the Two-Striker System?
After using Ryan Guy as the lone striker for three straight games dating back to July 18 at Montreal, Jay Heaps used two forwards on Saturday against KC … Saer Sene was joined up top by Dimitry Imbongo while Guy made the start at right wing … Jay Heaps has used the two-forward formation 17 times through 22 games.
Jose Moreno Waived
The Revs waived Colombian forward Jose Moreno on Monday … Moreno, 30, made seven appearances and scored one goal for the Revolution after joining the team in March from Colombia’s Once Caldas … his lone goal came on April 14 against D.C. United … Moreno’s last appearance came on June 16, when he played 45 minutes before coming off with an ankle sprain.
