After losing consecutive matches for the first time all season, the New England Revolution appear to have a decent shot at getting back on track against the worst club in the Western Conference.
The Revolution will try for their sixth win in nine games across all competitions Saturday night when they visit a Chivas USA team looking to avoid a franchise-record eighth consecutive MLS defeat.
New England (5-5-5) returns to league action for the first time since a 4-3 loss at Vancouver on June 15, though it also suffered a 3-1 defeat at D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The Revolution had outscored their opponents 18-3 while going 5-0-1 over their previous six in all competitions.
While the team has allowed an MLS-best 13 goals, New England hasn't been as tight defensively as of late. Since allowing one goal over a five-match stretch - including U.S. Open Cup play - the Revolution have given up nine in its last three.
That might not be much of an issue, however, facing a Chivas USA team that has totaled two goals during their team record-tying seven-game MLS skid.
The Goats (3-10-2) have been outscored 23-4 over a 10-game winless stretch in league play dating back to a 2-1 home victory over Vancouver on March 30. They also defeated the Los Angeles Blues 2-1 in U.S. Open Cup action on May 28.
"Chivas USA is just like any other team," New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth said. "They have their dangerous players that are doing well and we need to key on that, keep our tight lines and keep our organization."
The Goats hope to continue their recent success against the Revolution, winning five straight in this series before rallying from a three-goal deficit for a 3-all draw at New England on Aug. 29.
New England's Saer Sene scored two of those goals before suffering a season-ending knee injury early in the second half. He has a goal and two assists in his last four matches overall entering this meeting.
Teammate Juan Agudelo makes his first appearance in Carson, Calif., since being traded to New England in May. The forward has three goals in five games with the Revolution after scoring twice with the Goats.
"New England is in good form at the moment, and I think Juan has played a big part in that," said Chivas goalie Dan Kennedy. "We obviously know him really well and should be very prepared for the fight that he brings to the game and his ability with the ball."
Kennedy figures to be tested by Diego Fagundez, who has four goals and three assists in his last six matches. Kelyn Rowe has added two goals and two assists in his past three games.
