First Trip to Foxborough since 2021- Rapids vs Revs Preview

Foxborough, MA — A two-hour-long weather delay could not stop the Rapids from breaking their three-game losing streak. The win may have taken longer than expected, but the Rapids ran out 2-0 victors over the LA Galaxy on Wednesday. It was a much-needed result for Chris Armas and his players, getting a clean sheet and multiple goals for the first time in 13 games. It will be a quick turnaround, however, as the Rapids will cross the country to face the New England Revolution this Saturday. The Revolution is in a similar spot as the Rapids, outside the playoffs, looking in. Points are especially important for both of these teams. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

When: Saturday, June 28 @ 5:30 p.m. MST

Where: Gilette Stadium

TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Much-Needed Win at Home

Relief was a key emotion after the Rapids saw out a professional 2-0 victory against bottom-feeders LA Galaxy. Despite the visitors’ record, LA has good players. It was going to be especially crucial for Reggie Cannon and Sam Vines to contain both Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec. With some help from Chido Awaziem at points, they got the job done. The LA winger duo was mostly quiet throughout the night and were forced to take long shots at Nico Hansen’s net. The whole Galaxy team was forced into long shots after failing to break down the Colorado defense. It was an excellent performance from the backline, keeping LA to just 0.62 expected goals on 13 shots. Allowing only 0.05 xG per shot on average gives the team a great chance of securing a clean sheet.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Rapids didn’t have to do much to see the result out. Two goals, minutes apart in the 24th and 28th minutes from Djordje Mihailović and Calvin Harris, were enough to have a comfortable two-goal lead for the majority of the match. The first goal had good high pressure to win the ball back in a dangerous area before Vines whipped in the best cross of the season to Djordje to head home. The second goal featured some good interplay from KDP and Rafa Navarro to spring Harris out wide. It was a textbook finish from the English winger, who looked thrilled to be back on the scoresheet.

It was another standout performance from Nico Hansen, despite his hard collision with the post minutes into the game. He has hardly put a foot wrong in his stint in the Rapids’ net. He was tested from distance in this match, and he was always ready. Reggie Cannon was also very good on the night. Paintsil is a tough opponent, but Cannon kept him quiet throughout the night. Vines and Chido were also good with Gabriel Pec on the other side of the field. The team delivered a strong overall performance, which was necessary at this stage of the season.

Lineup Prediction:

Hansen / Cannon, Maxsø (c), Awaziem, Vines / Ku-DiPietro, Larraz, Atencio, C. Harris / Navarro, Yapi

It’s the same names from last week, but now Djordje has joined the list of injuries. Presumably a training injury, as he looked good after the LA game. Huge blow for Colorado, who, as of late, has been feast or famine at the hands of Mihailović. Without him, who does the team look to create? Rafa Navarro will have to step up as presumably the only designated player on the field.

With no Djordje, it would be tough to see who fills in in the middle of the park for Colorado, especially with Cole questionable. We could see a like-for-like switch to stay in the 4-2-3-1, with one of the center mids pushing up. Oli Larraz or Connor Ronan, most likely. I would expect to see a change in formation, though. Allowing the team to go back to a 4-2-2-2 or 4-4-2 fielding two outright strikers and wingers for the first time this season. There is depth and fluidity to this roster compared to last season, but losing Djordje is a significant loss, and it will be interesting to see how the team will adapt.

It will also be interesting to see how much rotation this lineup will see. Three games in nine days, with the Fourth of July game coming up, may signal some rotation guys to get the start. Guys like Ian Murphy, Keegan Rosenberry, Connor Ronan, or Kevin Cabral could get some looks to start this game. No matter who starts, Colorado will have to look for answers from someone not named Djordje Mihailovic.

Flashes of Vines Back: Can it Continue?

It has been a disappointing start to 2025 for the homegrown left back. He has only appeared in nine matches and started in five this season. Injuries kept him off the field early and often. Jackson Travis looked to swoop in and take over that starting left-back spot. Even when Vines was healthy, Armas tended to look Travis’ way. Not without reason, however, as Armas had yet to unlock the full potential of Sam Vines the same way that Robin Fraser had in Vines’ first stint with the club. This may be starting to change for Vines, with two starts in the last two and solid performances in both. There have been some flashes of the Vines of the past in the previous two games. So, how have Armas and Co. started to unlock the left-back’s game?

The most significant change is how they have operated the left back spot in the last two matches. Vines has been allowed to join the attack down the left-hand side. In the 4-2-2-2, he is paired up with Djordje on the left. With Djordje tucking inside more often than not, the space opens up from Vines to make his mark on the game. This tactic plays perfectly into the hands of both Djordje and Vinesy. If the Rapids were to return to the 4-2-2-2, that partnership will be a dangerous one.

Against LA, however, the Rapids lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. With a natural winger ahead of him, Vines did not get the same space that he would’ve with Djordje out wide. Vines was also tasked with defending one of the most dangerous wingers in the league, Gabriel Pec. Despite all of this, Chris Armas still told Vines to bomb up the field. With KDP pinching in more than usual and Chidozie Awaziem coming over to help Vines with Gabriel Pec, Vines was able to get an assist and help secure a clean sheet on the night. It can be a risky setup, and it may not work against every team, but Vines is starting to look more like himself. Our strongest lineup features Vines at left-back, and it will be key to continue putting him in positions where he can succeed.

Dip in Form for New England Revolution:

It has not been the easiest time for New England since the abrupt dismissal of Bruce Arena in 2023. Both interim head coach Clint Peay and now head coach Caleb Porter have yet to achieve the results that the Revolution has seen in the recent past. Similar to the Rapids, New England has struggled recently. The Revolution has only one win in their last eight games. They have experienced a similar decline in their respective conference and were eliminated from the US Open Cup. Points have been at a premium for both Colorado and New England. It is becoming increasingly crucial to get on a good stretch of form.

There has been significant roster turnover in New England over the past few years. One constant has been Carles Gil. The Spaniard has been phenomenal in his stint in New England, winning MLS MVP honors in 2021. At 32 years of age, Gil has continued to be a bright spot in Foxborough. Six goals and three assists in 17 appearances spell out a dangerous attacker that the Rapids will always have to be aware of. The return of Matt Polster should also be a boost for New England, who missed his partnership with Alhassan Yusuf in their 2-3 defeat against Nashville midweek.

The Revolution has built their success this season through being a strong defensive team that scraps a goal or two to see out a result. One or two-goal games are familiar to New England this season, with the games rarely exceeding three total goals. They have fallen a bit away from this in the recent slump of form, conceding 14 goals in their last eight matches, after conceding only seven in their first 11 games of the season. It will be crucial for the Rapids to see to this recent slump in defensive form and get a goal or two before Gil and Co. can make their mark on the game.

Prediction: Colorado cannot find answers without Djordje and will lose a close match. New England wins 1-0.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

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