The New England Revolution will look to end their five-game winless streak against the team that started the slide.
The Revolution haven’t won since beating Toronto FC on the road on May 3. The current winless streak that cost them first place in the MLS Eastern Conference began with a 2-1 setback at Inter-Miami on May 13 and was followed with a blowout 3-0 loss at Philadelphia.
The Revolution have recorded three straight draws over a stretch of three games in eight days that ended with a scoreless tie against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on June 3.
“Hopefully we will be a little bit more rested,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “Last week was a difficult week and hopefully we will have advantage playing at home.
“There’s probably only a couple of teams that have only lost three games, so it’s not the end of the world. Getting points on the road at Atlanta and New York is not bad.”
The fourth-place Revolution (7-3-6) begin a three-game homestand on Saturday night (7:30) against last-place Inter Miami (5-11-0) at Gillette Stadium. Inter Miami made international news on Wednesday when it was announced that Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi had signed with the club.
“I think we all felt disappointed because we started well,” said Arena. “We are still at the top of the table, but we are slipping down.
So, I think we have to do a better job and climb up again and in this the next home game. I think we are going to get all three points to climb to the top.”
The Revolution will cross the midpoint in the season during the homestand with key players Dylan Borrero, Henry Kessler, Tommy McNamara, and Brandon Bye on the injured list. Despite the slide and the recent rash of injuries, the Revolution are in a good place headed into the back nine. The Revolution will take an extended break from league play for the League’s Cup tournament involving MLS and Liga MX.
“I think MLS Cup still,” said right back DeJuan Jones. “Once we get everyone back healthy and everyone is performing at the highest level, I think we have the talent to lift a trophy at the end of the season.
“So, it’s just important to continue to pick up points, especially at home, and then make the playoffs. From there, we have to be focused and take care of business.”
Inter Miami comes to Foxboro in disarray under interim head coach Javier Morales, who replaced Phil Neville on June 1. Inter Miami is 1-4-0 against MLS opponents and 1-5-0 in all competitions since beating New England.
Miami has scored 15 goals in 16 MLS games and has allowed 21 with a differential of minus six. The Revolution have scored 25 goals and allowed 20, with seven of them in losses to LAFC (4-0) and Philly.
“We understand that every game is a tough game in MLS,” said Arena. “Given all the issues we’ve had with injuries and all if that, I think if we can win on Saturday, the first half of the season will be successful.”