When FC Cincinnati and New England faced off in April, they were two teams still looking for their identities. New England had 4 points and were trying to find a system that worked for them. FC Cincinnati however, seemed to be putting pieces together and were starting a five game winning streak. Since then, the teams’ fates have seemingly reversed, with the Revolution entering on a nine game unbeaten streak and FCC entering without having won in four straight.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
New England started off their unbeaten streak with a formation change from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-1-2. With a team that was struggling to create chances with their wingers, Manager Caleb Porter took a page out of the 2024 FC Cincy playbook and threw a third centerback in the defense while putting all their hopes on their attacking midfielder Carles Gil to run the show. And it has paid off. They are 5-0-4 since the formation change and Gil has delivered six Goals and two Assists in MLS play.
Much like FCC in 2024 relied on a solid defensive structure to eke out numerous one goal wins, New England has relied on their defense to do the same. However, they do not have the same name power that FCC had in their backline and have instead relied on their defensive midfield pairing to carry the load. Matt Polster and Alhassan Yusuf provide the base from which every New England attack starts while being the rocks offensive attacks crash against.
However, the Revs do not enter as an all-powerful juggernaut. In their nine game unbeaten streak, they have only faced three teams in playoff position and have struggled to find goals from their strikers. Offseason transfers of Leo Campana and Ignatius Ganago have spent considerable lengths on the bench with injury, and both are not expected to start in the game on Saturday.
FC CINCINNATI
FC Cincinnati came in as streak killers in their last week of MLS games before going on the international break. They lost to Atlanta United ending an eight game streak of losses or ties. They did the same for DC United and tied FC Dallas— ending their three-game losing streak.
The string of negative results has many in the FCC fandom feeling down, but a repeat victory over the Revs might bolster their feelings. Things will not be easier as FCC will is piecing together their backline after a slew of absences. Nick Hagglund is still out with a broken rib and Miles Robinson will be away from the team with the US at the Gold Cup. This may be a chance for Gilberto Flores to earn a few starts alongside Matt Miazga and Teenage Hadebe, or we might see veterans Alvas Powell or Deandre Yedlin move into the back three.
At the front, FCC will be working to build cohesion with Luca Orellano who has two assists but is still looking for his first goal in 2025. With none of the attacking front line being called into their respective National Teams, fans will be hoping the time away will help the team regroup and come back with a fresh vision.
Roman Celentano prepares while his FC Cincinnati teammates celebrate. Photo Courtesy of Megan Lee Media.
WHEN: Saturday June 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
HOW TO WATCH: MLS Season Pass on AppleTV+
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