THE BASICS
MLS is Back Tournament
New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC
Tuesday, July 21 | 9 a.m.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex | Orlando, Florida
Predicted Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms | High 89 | Low 77
MLS IS BACK TOURNAMENT
After a four-month hiatus from league play, the MLS is Back Tournament is underway in Orlando. Each team will play three group-stage matches that will count towards the regular-season standings, and sides that advance to the knockout stage will vie to be crowned champions, earning a berth to the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.
Not to mention, the players will also be contesting for a piece of a $1.1 million pool of prize money based on results.
The stage has been set for the initial matchups, and the New England Revolution have been placed in Group C with three Eastern Conference foes: Toronto FC, D.C. United and the Montreal Impact. The top two finishers in Group C will advance to the tournament’s Round of 16, while several third-place finishers league-wide will also book a place in the knockout rounds.
Following the Round of 16, the winners will advance to the quarterfinals and compete for an opportunity to vie for the title in the semifinals and final.
GROUP C STANDINGS
New England and Toronto FC head into Tuesday morning's showdown tied atop the Group C standings with four points apiece, so both know that a win would clinch top spot in the group and a place in the tournament's Round of 16. A draw would leave the door open for D.C. United to potentially top the group, as they'll close out group play against the winless Montreal Impact on Tuesday evening.
The Revs opened the competition with a 1-0 win over the Impact on July 9, powered by Gustavo Bou's golazo, and they followed that result up with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United this past Friday night. Adam Buksa was the goal scorer for New England, who have been strong defensively, conceding just one goal in their two games.
RECENT FORM VS. TORONTO FC
New England and TFC squared off twice in 2019, with the Canadian side grabbing a disputed 3-2 win at BMO Field in March before the teams played to a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium in late August. It was the Revolution's Designated Players who did the damage against TFC, as Carles Gil scored both goals in Toronto and Gustavo Bou delivered a late equalizer in Foxborough.
Home-field advantage has been paramount in the recent series as the Revs are 3-0-2 against the Reds at Gillette Stadium since the start of the 2016 season, but 0-4-0 north of the border in that same period. Tuesday morning's meeting on neutral ground at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, then, could prove fascinating.
Overall Record vs. Toronto FC: 13-8-10
Last Meeting at Gillette Stadium: Revs 1, TFC 1 (August 31, 2019)
Last Meeting at BMO Field: TFC 3, Revs 2 (March 17, 2019)
HOW TO TUNE IN
WATCH
National TV: ESPN (English) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
LISTEN
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2
REVOLUTION LIVE PRESENTED BY DAN O'BRIEN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
Elizabeth Pehota and Jeff Lemieux will break down all the storylines on Revolution Live presented by Dan O'Brien Automotive Group, available live at 7 p.m. on Monday evening (July 20) on the Revolution’s official Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels as well as www.revolutionsoccer.net.
OUTSIDE THE BOOTH PRESENTED BY DAN O'BRIEN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies will go live at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 20, for the second installment of a new online, call-in talk show. The show, available on the Revolution's social channels, will feature a live interview with Revolution assistant coach Dave van den Bergh, while callers can voice their opinions and ask questions by calling in at 855-728-7500.
Outside the Booth presented by Dan O'Brien Automotive Group will go live once again on Wednesday, July 22, at 12 p.m.
RELATED NEWS
WATCH: Training Report | Good Morning, Soccer
READ: Preview | First place in Group C on the line as Revs battle TFC
WATCH: Arena | "We'll make some changes to our lineup" vs. TFC
WATCH: Fagundez on rotation vs. TFC | "We all have to be ready"
WATCH: Bunbury | Showdown with TFC "a great opportunity for us"
WATCH: Inside the Bubble | Which Revs player has the best golf swing?
WATCH: Outside the Box | Revs draw D.C. under Friday night lights
READ: Disappointed by D.C. draw, Revs eye quick turnaround against TFC
WATCH: Highlights | Revs, D.C. trade second-half goals in Group C draw
READ: Recap | Revs and D.C. battle to 1-1 draw in MLS is Back Tournament
SHOW YOUR COLORS
Tuesday morning's match will feature "The Original," New England's brand new primary kit designed as a nod to the club's original 1996 look, as Major League Soccer and the Revs continue their milestone 25th season.
The sleek white stripe across the jersey echoes the angled stripes across the '96 kit, while the blue top is complemented by red shorts similar to those worn by the Revolution's first-ever squad.
You can own "The Original" by ordering online HERE.
