Under Brad Friedel, the New England Revolution are rolling. The first-year coach, though, believes they can be better.
Coming off consecutive shutout wins, New England faces FC Dallas on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
New England (3-1-1) is coming off a 4-0 rout of the visiting Montreal Impact last Saturday. It was the Revolution's second straight win against a 10-man squad. On March 31, Friedel's team topped a 10-man Houston Dynamo squad 2-0.
The Revolution, who haven't lost since their season opener, are 2-0-1 at home and tied with the Columbus Crew for third in the Eastern Conference.
"We're happy with where we're at right now, but there's still a lot more that we can accomplish and a lot more we can improve on," Friedel said.
One area where it may be difficult to improve is in goal: Matt Turner has not surrendered one in 195 minutes.
"We just are committed to defending and committed to our defensive shape," said Turner, who's been reached for five goals this year. "Obviously, we went up against 10 men and it was difficult for us in Houston to still get the clean sheet, but against Montreal it was a different challenge. It was a little easier for us because we kept the ball better."
Dallas (1-0-3), which is playing its first road game in MLS this season, meets New England for the first time since March 18, 2017. Forward Maximiliano Urruti scored in the 71st and 77th minutes to lift Dallas to a 2-1 win in north Texas.
"Everybody knows Dallas can get out and run, and hurt you on the flanks. When they get guys like (forward Michael) Barrios isolated, you know, Urruti's a guy that you always have to be aware of," Revs defender Jalil Anibaba said.
Urruti has one goal and Barrios one assist through four games. Midfielder Roland Lamah leads Dallas with three goals.
The club also has a solid goalkeeper in Jimmy Maurer. He's given up three goals on 16 shots, and blanked the Seattle Sounders on March 18.
"We (are trying) to plan the game and see not just in the lineup but what is the game plan that we can put together in order to get the points that we want," Dallas coach Oscar Pareja told the team's official website.
Dallas has played to three 1-1 draws this year, including last Saturday against Colorado. Forward Cristian Colman scored for Dallas in the 89th minute.
Dallas is tied with Los Angeles FC and Minnesota United with six points. Pareja's club, though, is seventh in the Western Conference.
New England leads the series 12-7-1.
