The New England Revolution made headlines this week when they added midfielder Ian Harkes, an effort to enhance a roster rebounding from a disappointing defense of their 2021 Supporter’s Shield title.
While the Revolution integrate Harkes into their mix, they will attempt to run their unbeaten streak to eight matches Saturday night when they head to Harrison, N.J., for a match against the New York Red Bulls.
New England (10-3-7, 37 points) signed Harkes, whose father John played 55 games for the club from 1999 to 2001. The younger Harkes was signed after spending more than four seasons with Dundee United in Scotland.
So far, New England’s offense has put the team in a decent position for a top-five spot in the Eastern Conference. The Revolution are 3-0-4 since a 3-0 loss at Philadelphia on May 20 and head into Saturday third in the East, one point behind second-place Nashville and two ahead of fourth-place Columbus.
The Revolution avoided falling further behind in the race for first when they got a point in a 2-2 draw at first-place FC Cincinnati on July 1. The Revs benefited from a Cincinnati own goal, and Gustavo Bou scored.
“Obviously, we’re very happy to get a point on the road against the first-place team — where no one’s even gotten a point against them in the whole year — but I don’t think we played well enough as a team,” New England defender Dave Romney said.
New York (5-7-8, 23 points) is in a crowded race among teams trying to get the ninth playoff spot. Three points separate Montreal and New York from the final playoff spot. The Red Bulls are 3-3-1 in their past seven.
New York enjoyed its best game this year when it rolled to a 4-0 rout of Atlanta on June 24 but followed it up with a 2-1 loss at Columbus last week, when it conceded the tie-breaking goal in the 62nd minutes after Elias Manoel scored in the 38th.
“We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and be better,” New York captain Sean Nealis said. “They were clinical in two opportunities, and we weren’t good enough.”
–Field Level Media