Match Preview: NE Revolution vs. Whitecaps FC

Last week the slightly out-of-sync Vancouver Whitecaps failed to take all three points away from ten-man Chivas USA.  The Caps will have an opportunity to make up for last weekend when they play a struggling New England Revolution team at Gillette Stadium on Saturday (11 AM PDT).

These two clubs have started the 2014 MLS season in very different ways.  After demolishing the New York Red Bulls 4 -1 on opening day, the Whitecaps struggled away at Chivas USA and had to rely on the young Kekuta Manneh to steal a point in the dying minutes of the match.

New England, on the other hand, have lost both of their matches to start the season and have played poorly in both games.  Not only have they conceded six goals, but they have also failed to score in both matches.  This team clearly misses Juan Agudelo (transferred) and Jose Goncalves (contract dispute) and needs to turn things around quickly.  The Revs will be motivated to put on a good performance in front of their fans before they return to the road for another two games.

Lee Nguyen and Andrew Farrell have recovered from injury and are available for selection into Jay Heaps' squad for the match tomorrow.  Kelyn Rowe, however, is still doubtful as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.  Jay DeMerit (did not travel) and Mehdi Ballouchy (ACL) are not available for the Whitecaps.

In order for the Whitecaps to win this Saturday, they will have to play a better game than they did against Chivas USA.  For the first hour of the match the Caps looked predictable and slow in their build-up play, and only after Carl Robinson introduced Manneh into the match did they look like they might threaten to score on the Goats.

Although Vancouver won the last meeting between these two clubs (4-3 at BC Place last June), the Whitecaps have lost in both of their previous visits to Gillette Stadium and managed to score only a single goal both times.

Hopefully the Caps will rebound after stumbling slightly at Chivas. With New England struggling at the moment, this will be as good of an opportunity to win on the road as they will get this early in the season.  If they play more like they did against the Red Bulls than they did against Chivas, then they will have a good chance to win this one.  This will be a good test for Robbo and his team to get it right away from BC Place.

Prediction?  Vancouver rebounds from last weekend and gets their first win at Foxborough by defeating the Revs by a score of 2-1.

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