An inefficient couple of months forced the New England Revolution to clear the air during a players-only meeting they hope will provide a spark.
New York City FC has been seeing positive results, but its in-game lapses are concerning.
The Revolution look to halt a five-match losing streak while avenging an earlier loss to New York on Saturday night.
New England (6-9-6) rolled through a 5-0-1 stretch from March 28-May 2, but has gone just 1-7-4 in MLS competition since and has been outscored 13-4 during its skid.
Frustration hit its peak following last Saturday's 4-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls, prompting the club to gather for a team meeting to hold each other accountable for the lackluster play. The Revolution have allowed at least two goals in seven of their last eight and have surrendered a league-most 33 on the season.
"It was good for us and now I think we're ready to go, ready to roll," defender Andrew Farrell told the team's official website. "Enough is enough. Every week we say it's got to be better, we're going to turn it around, and we haven't.
"We really know the importance of this game. We're ready to work hard to get to where we need to be."
New York City's only victory in its first 13 matches was a 2-0 win over New England on March 15, when David Villa scored and assisted on Patrick Mullins' goal in the 84th minute.
Mullins scored in that same minute Sunday to give NYCFC (5-8-6) a 4-all draw with Toronto. Villa scored twice for New York City, which improved to 4-1-1 following an 11-match winless streak.
The main issue, though, is the lack of consistency. NYC blew a 2-0 lead against Toronto, and it let Montreal tie the match on a penalty kick in the 77th minute July 4 before Villa's second goal in the 82nd minute secured a 2-1 victory.
NYCFC also had an early lead in a 3-1 loss to the Red Bulls in the previous match June 28.
"We are really starting out games well ... but for whatever reason, there seems to be a moment in every game where we just stop," coach Jason Kreis told the team's official website. "We've got to continue to strive to improve. I think in soccer, you're never going to be dominant and the leader of the match for 90 minutes, but it certainly needs to be our goal."
New York City has allowed eight goals over its last three after giving up more than two just once in its first 16 matches. It hopes the additions of defenders Andoni Iraola and Angelino will help as they become more acclimated.
Both made their team debuts against Toronto, as Iraola played the entire match and Angelino came on in the 46th minute.
New England captain Jose Goncalves is suspended for this match after receiving a red card against the Red Bulls, and fellow defenders Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes and Jermaine Jones all are out with injuries.
That leaves the Revolution with just four available defenders as they face a New York City team that has scored at least twice in five of its last six.
