New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Alicia Rodriguez

New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy
2017 MLS Regular Season
Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.
Saturday, July 22 - 7:30 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE

The New England Revolution and LA Galaxy each enter Saturday's showdown on four-game losing streaks in league play. It's form reflective of their stories at this point in the MLS regular season -- signs of promise but far too much going wrong in general.

The Revs did not play midweek, with their last game coming last week with a bitter last-minute loss in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against the New York Red Bulls. With the Open Cup off the table now, New England only have the league to play for and sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, nine points below the playoff line.

On the other coast, the Galaxy did feature in regular season play on Wednesday, but their home woes continued with a 1-0 loss at StubHub Center to the Vancouver Whitecaps. They've also got work to do to get above the playoff line, sitting in 9th in the Western Conference and five points out. Times may not be truly desperate for these teams, but they need to pick up wins in a hurry before the season completely gets away from them.

New England Revolution

One US national team player, Juan Agudelo, remains at the Gold Cup, but Kelyn Rowe is back with New England after acquitting himself well in his first competitive minutes for his country.

Rowe's departure came as a surprise to many, as he notched a goal and assist in the group stage at the Gold Cup, which helped the USMNT win their group. But Rowe reflected on the experience, noting he has elements of his game that he still needs to work on to ensure future call-ups.

“I think it's the little things,” Rowe told American Soccer Now this week. “I thought it was very positive in a sense that my attacking cleverness was there. But on the other side of the ball, can I learn how to hold a guy in front of me rather than let him turn? Do I know when to pressure or when not to and cut off a pass? Then, on the offensive side, know when to hold the ball and not try to make the dangerous pass—no matter if it's there. Sometimes we've just defended for 20 minutes and we need to keep the ball.”

On the other hand, Rowe's club side is in need of results, and the versatile player's ability will be tested here. If he can return from international duty and help push the Revs up the table, will it help his cause with Bruce Arena? One would think, so there's plenty of motivation these days for the 25-year-old.

Suspended:None
International duty: F Juan Agudelo (United States), D Je-Vaughn Watson (Jamaica)
Injury Report:QUESTIONABLE: M Daigo Kobayashi (hamstring), M Xavier Kouassi (left quad strain)

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, left to right):Cody Cropper – Chris Tierney, Antonio Delamea, Benjamin Angoua, Andrew Farrell – Diego Fagundez, Gershon Koffie, Kelyn Rowe, Scott Caldwell – Kei Kamara, Lee Nguyen

Notes: The Revolution are looking to avoid their first three-game home losing streak since losing four straight at Gillette Stadium from May 24 to July 26, 2014. They have allowed five goals in their last two matches at home. The club had conceded five in their previous eight home games, dating back to last season...New England have scored nine headed goals this season, tied with Vancouver for the most in the league.

LA Galaxy

There's no question that injuries, suspensions and international call-ups have helped put the Galaxy in the situation they're in. At times, one could argue the team has missed upwards of eight or nine first-choice starters, often many at once. For this game, at least four players who would be selected in Curt Onalfo's lineup if all LA players were available will be missing.

Despite all that, the team recognizes they've got issues with coughing up goals and turning in lackluster performances, including in the midweek loss to the Whitecaps. But captain Jelle Van Damme is choosing to look at the quick turnaround as an opportunity to put the last game behind the team as fast as possible.

“It’s been a funny season, a strange season. We’ve had ups and downs, but a few too many ups and downs so I just want to focus on the things we need to focus on. Players are coming back fit again,” Van Damme said to LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano. “A few weeks ago we only had 15 players to go on the road game, so it’s a good thing. The experienced guys are coming back and being fit again.

“We’re bringing them in, and now we just have to move on. It’s a good thing that there’s another game Saturday so we can move on to the next game. We’ll put our heads together and get out of this situation.”

Suspended: Joao Pedro (yellow card accumulation)
Int’l Duty: Gyasi Zardes (United States)
Injury Report: OUT: D - Robbie Rogers (ankle), M Sebastian Lletget (foot), M Baggio Husidic (broken leg)

Projected Starting XI(4-2-3-1, left to right):Brian Rowe — Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney, Pele van Anholt — Jermaine Jones, Rafael Garcia — Emmanuel Boateng, Giovani dos Santos, Romain Alessandrini — Jack McBean

Notes: The Galaxy have earned wins in two of their last five visits to New England (2L-1D). They had two wins in their first 12 road games against the Revolution (7L-3D)...Giovani dos Santos did not have a single shot on target against Vancouver on Wednesday night, his second straight MLS appearance with zero shots on target, and the fifth time in 13 appearances this season he did not manage a shot on target.

All-Time Series

Overall: New England 15 wins (60 goals) … LA 18 wins (66 goals) … Ties 7
At New England: New England 10 wins (36 goals) … LA 6 wins (27 goals) … Ties 3