Los Angeles FC vs New England Revolution Predictions
Los Angeles FC are the defending champions this season as they lifted the MLS trophy for the first time in their history at the end of last season after beating Philadelphia Union on penalties. Los Angeles FC have also started the new season with a win in their opening game.
After finishing tenth in the Eastern division last season and missing out on the playoffs, New England Revolution have made a confident start to this year’s campaign. They are currently joint-leaders of the Eastern Conference after winning both their games in the league this season.
However, Los Angeles FC can be the team that ends this short winning stint for the New England Revolution. There is only a little history between these two sides, but at home, Los Angeles FC have the upper hand.
Previous Meetings
The two sides have only met twice in the MLS. The last encounter between the two sides came in 2019 when goals from Diego Rossi and Latif Blessing handed Los Angeles FC a 2-0 win at the Gillette Stadium.
Before that, in the very first MLS encounter between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw and that match took place at the Banc of California Stadium in 2018. In this game, Rossi was the provider as he assisted Marco Urena’s opener in the 52nd minute before it was canceled out by Brandon Bye’s equalizer eight minutes from time.
The next encounter will be the third MLS clash between the two sides and the second one that will be played at the BMO Stadium. Los Angeles FC dropped points at the venue against the New England Revolution when the two sides last met here.
Los Angeles FC Could Have One Eye on the Champions League
Los Angeles FC’s next MLS fixture against New England Revolution will be sandwiched by a two-legged Round of 16 encounters of the CONCACAF Champions League against Costa Rican side LD Alajuelense.
A Denis Bouanga hat-trick gave Los Angeles FC a 3-0 away win in the Champions League against LD Alajuelense, as they will undoubtedly want to lift that trophy this season. However, the focus will shift to the New England Revolution before the second leg of the last-16 encounter.
Before winning the MLS title last season, Los Angeles FC came very close to adding their first piece of silverware to the cabinet in the form of a CONCACAF Champions League trophy in 2020. However, the side lost to Tigres UANL in the final.
Los Angeles FC Lost Only Two Home Games Last Season
Last year, Los Angeles FC were prolific at the BMO Stadium. They turned their home ground into a fortress as they lost just two games in their own backyard in the entire season last year. In that process, the side scored 39 goals in 17 games and conceded only 15.
The goal difference at home was +24, while away from home, it was only +4. Los Angeles FC lost nine games last season and seven of them came away from home. They had the second-highest goals-per-match average of 2.0, slightly shy of Philadelphia Union’s 2.1.
Los Angeles FC created the biggest chances last year as they went on to create 77 promising opportunities. However, they also missed the most opportunities to score a goal as they fluffed their lines on 67 occasions.
Talisman in Fiery Form for Los Angeles FC
The attackers of Los Angeles FC will have to be clinical to boost last season’s stats in front of goal. That does not seem like a problem for Los Angeles FC’s linchpin Carlos Vela. The Mexican has scored 12 goals and assisted 12 last season.
He was the second-highest goal scorer for Los Angeles FC last year, only behind Cristian Arango, who scored 18 goals. However, Arango has left and the entire goal-scoring onus is on Vela as the attacker has contributed to a goal in the last four matches.
New England Revolution off to a Great Start
New England Revolution finished at the top of the Eastern division in the 2021 season. They won 22 out of 34 games and lost just five games all season as they finished 19 points clear of Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference.
In the Supporters Shield that same season, the club finished 12 points clear of Western Conference side Colorado Rapids. However, the New England Revolution failed to add a sixth MLS title to their cabinet that season.
Expectations were sky-high last season, but the club fell from the summit to tenth place as they missed out on playoffs. However, this season, they are looking to turn things around and with two wins and two clean sheets in the first couple of games, New England Revolution seem to be on the right track.
Blessing Could Come Back to Haunt Former Club
Four new faces have joined the New England Revolution this year. While Emmanuel Boateng and Nacho Gil came in as free agents, the club splashed the cash on former Nashville SC defender David Romney and former Los Angeles FC midfielder Latif Blessing.
Blessing left Los Angeles FC after spending almost five years at the club. The 26-year-old made almost 170 appearances at the club during this stint and scored 18 goals. Last season, the midfielder could only contribute with one assist in 30 games for Los Angeles FC.
This season, he has switched sides and joined the New England Revolution. Blessing made his debut against Houston Dynamo FC and marked it with an assist when he set up Brandon Bye for the third and final goal of the game. Now his former club could be in the crosshairs.
Fixed Four at the Back as New England Revolution Seek Consistency
Clean sheets will be an essential part of New England Revolution’s season this time around. A solid defense could ensure the finish for the club and their fans seek after last year’s disappointment. They are off to a good start after securing two shutouts in as many games.
New signing Romney has been impressive at the back alongside Henry Kessler. Right-back Brandon Bye was on the scoresheet last week, while left-back DeJuan Jones nabbed an assist. New England Revolution will want to fix this back four for the majority of games this season.
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