Chicago need a single point at Gillette Stadium to clinch a playoff place, and that changes how I read the last meeting between these two. Last month Chicago had 61% of the ball and 22 shots to New England's four and still lost 2-1, with Men in Red 97 putting both Revolution goals down to transition moments. Repeating that approach would mean committing numbers forward with a centre-back pairing that hasn't played together: Jack Elliott is suspended, Sam Rogers is injured, and Andreas Hanche-Olsen looks set for his first MLS start. A side that only needs a draw has every reason not to.
That shifts the onus onto New England, and their home record says they can carry a game: nine wins, two draws and three defeats at Gillette, 26 goals scored. They've already clinched too, per the club's recap of the 3-2 at Cincinnati, though with 49 points to Chicago's 48 the top-four race is still live for both. The complication is on the touchline and up front. Marko Mitrović is suspended after his third yellow card of the season, and the squad is without Jack Harrison, Leo Campana, Fofana and Alhassan Yusuf.
Both teams are also on the third game of a short stretch, with three days' rest since midweek. Chicago's midfield is thin in its own way: Robin Lod is out, Anzor Mekvabishvili is questionable and Anton Salétros has already gone past his minutes restrictions since coming back. If Chicago sit deep and New England can't find a way through without their usual forwards, the point Chicago want arrives without much drama. If New England score first, Chicago are back to chasing the game with a debutant at centre back, which is roughly where September's trouble started.
Which version do you think Chicago go for: the ball-heavy approach that lost last month, or something more patient now that a point is all they need?
