Two struggling teams go head to head in the MLS on Thursday night
The New England Revolution have dropped four straight matches while Toronto FC is winless in its last six.
These clubs have the worst goal differences in MLS and both are badly in need of a victory Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.
New England (3-7-4) has dropped four straight one-goal games while Toronto (2-5-8) is on a 0-2-4 skid. The Revolution have been outscored by seven goals this season, while Toronto is at minus-10.
This contest features the league's least productive offense against one of its worst defenses. New England has scored an MLS-low 11 goals, and Toronto has conceded an MLS-high 25.
The Revolution were encouraged by Friday's 2-1 loss at New York, because Zak Boggs' second-half tally was the first for New England from open play in 601 minutes.
"Right now it's encouraging that we actually scored a goal and we can take away some positives from that," said captain Shalrie Joseph, who had a penalty kick saved in the defeat.
The Revolution haven't scored a first-half goal in their last seven matches. Joseph has four goals, but none of his teammates have more than one.
"On Wednesday, we're going to take it to Toronto from the start of the whistle and try to get that first goal," Joseph said. "Once we do that, I think it's going to help us settle the team a little bit."
Toronto is 0-3-3 on the road, but the club is hopeful of improvement after rallying Saturday for a 2-2 draw at Los Angeles. Alan Gordon scored both goals, including an equalizer in stoppage time.
Gordon had missed the previous six games because of a groin injury. He entered as a substitute in the 44th minute and scored on a header in the 68th before volleying in his second goal in dramatic fashion.
"I felt like I was ready to go, I was wanting to play the whole time," Gordon said. "I just didn't know if my soccer fitness was going to be up to par. But it was OK. I've been working hard in the gym."
Toronto had been outscored 4-0 over its previous three road matches.
It's unclear how healthy Toronto will be four days after being forced to take out two injured midfielders in the first half. Tony Tchani appeared to hurt his left ankle on a hard tackle, and Jacob Peterson left because of hamstring tightness.
New England has outscored Toronto 14-3 in going 4-0-1 all-time at home in the series. Zack Schilawski's hat trick was the difference in the Revs' 4-1 victory April 10, 2010, at Gillette Stadium.
Toronto remains without midfielder Julian de Guzman and defender Dicoy Williams due to international duty. New England midfielder Benny Feilhaber has an ankle sprain but would be with the U.S. national team anyway if he were healthy.
