October 15, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – New England Revolution News Release
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution (20-4-5; 65 pts.) will host Chicago Fire FC (7-16-6; 27 pts.) on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The match begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on WSBK-TV38, myRITV, and CoziTV, as well as on the radio via 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 and 1260 AM Nossa Radio.
New England, 13-1-2 over the last 16 matches, returns to the pitch following a 17-day international break after the club’s most recent match on September 29 at Montreal. During the break in play, the Revolution clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, securing a first-round bye and homefield advantage through the Conference Final round in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Revolution now set their sights on lifting the club’s first Supporters’ Shield, as they hold an eight-point lead over Seattle in the league standings. At the same time, the Revs are challenging to break MLS all-time records for points (72), points per game (2.13), and winning percentage (.750) in a single season.
With a win on Saturday, the Revolution would tie the club record for home wins (12), while becoming just the fifth team in league history to win at least 21 games in regulation. New England carries an eight-game home unbeaten streak into the contest, going 6-0-2 since the season’s only home loss on July 7. The Revolution are 24-27-15 all-time against Chicago, including a 3-0-2 mark in the last five encounters. In the most recent meeting between the two sides, Carles Gil guided the Revolution to a 3-2 win with a playoff-clinching winner in stoppage time on Sept. 22 at Soldier Field.
Gil remains a frontrunner for the Landon Donovan MVP Award as the league leader in assists (16) and chances created (108). The Spanish midfielder needs only one more chance created to surpass his own club record. Also in the attack, forwards Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa, who are tied for the team lead in goals scored with 13 each, will look to remain as two of the most in-form strikers in MLS. Bou has collected one goal and three assists over his last three games played, while Buksa has scored in his last three consecutive appearances. Buksa (Poland), goalkeeper Matt Turner (United States) and midfielder Tajon Buchanan (Canada) are set to rejoin the club after featuring for their respective national teams in October FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, totaling six caps among them.
Chicago, in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, heads into Saturday’s match needing a victory to remain in contention for a playoff berth, as a loss or tie at New England would see them eliminated. The Fire are 1-11-1 in 12 road contests this season, following a 3-1 defeat at Toronto FC in Chicago’s most recent match on October 3. Serbian midfielder Luka Stojanovic leads Chicago’s attack with a team-best seven goals, while 17-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has logged five consecutive starts in net.
Meanwhile, Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena, 15-4-6 against Chicago in his career, is only two wins shy of matching Sigi Schmid (240) for the most regular season victories in MLS history.
Santander Cultivate Small Business Farmers Market
In celebration of National Women’s Small Business Month, Santander Bank is partnering with the New England Revolution to spotlight 12 women-owned small businesses from Santander’s Cultivate Small Business program during Saturday’s match. Fans are invited to join the Revolution and Santander in celebrating these women-owned businesses in the Revolution Fan Zone at Gillette Stadium from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Learn more about Santander’s Cultivate Small Business Program and the 12 featured businesses HERE.
Game 30 vs. Chicago Fire FC
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: WSBK-TV38, myRITV, CoziTV
Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst), Naoko Funayama (sideline)
English Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2
Portuguese Radio: WBIX 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA”
Here are a few top storylines to watch for on Saturday:
The Revolution building on their eight-point lead over Seattle Sounders FC in the Supporters’ Shield race.
New England closing in on the MLS single-season points record (72) as they remain on pace to set new league marks for points per game and best winning percentage.
The Revs earning their 21st win of the season, which would be tied for the third-most regulation wins in MLS history.
The hosts earning a 12th home win on the season to tie a club mark. If New England wins all three remaining home games, the club would tie a league record with 14 home wins and set a new league mark for home points.
The Revolution extending an eight-game home-unbeaten streak (6-0-2) and building on their MLS-best 2.50 points per home game.
Carles Gil (16) challenging the Revolution’s single-season assists record (19) and setting a new club record for chances created (108).
GK Matt Turner (United States), F Adam Buksa (Poland), and M Tajon Buchanan (Canada) rejoining the club after featuring for their respective national teams in October’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa (13 goals each) breaking a tie for the team lead in goals scored this season. They rank tied for fourth in the MLS Golden Boot race.
Bou breaking his first-place tie with Valentin Castellanos and Raul Ruidíaz for the most combined goals and assists (39) in MLS since he entered the league in July 2019.
Bou potentially logging an assist for the fourth consecutive match.
Buksa recording six more shots to hit the century mark on the season, and eight more shots to set a new Revolution single-season high (Wolde Harris – 101, 2000).
Matt Turner adding to his career-high 15 wins and remaining unbeaten (10-0-2) at Gillette Stadium in 2021.
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