The New England Revolution are three points away from the top single-season points output in MLS history and look to reach the milestone on Wednesday night when they face the Colorado Rapids at Foxborough, Mass.
The Revolution (21-4-7, 70 points) can break the record held by Los Angeles FC (72 in 2019) with a victory over the Rapids. If they fall short against Colorado, they will get another chance against Inter Miami FC in their season finale on Nov. 7.
Of course, New England has a bigger prize in sight as leading goal-scorer Adam Buksa (16) pointed out after Sunday’s 2-2 road draw against Orlando City.
“We want to win the MLS Cup and our focus goes on the MLS Cup for now,” Buksa said. “We want to end this season in the right way, then get ready for the most important part of the season.”
The Rapids (15-6-10, 55 points) also have sealed a playoff spot with their clinching coming in Saturday’s 2-0 home win over the Portland Timbers.
Colorado, which is in third place in the Western Conference, has reached the playoffs for the second straight season after missing in five of the previous six campaigns.
“I’m really, really happy for them because we’re not here by luck. We’re here because they earned it,” Rapids coach Robin Fraser said. “We have a couple of other goals we want to address here. But just to get here and to be in the playoffs is certainly a gratifying feeling.”
Dominique Badji and Diego Rubio scored Colorado’s goals against Portland. Braian Galvan assisted on both tallies.
“We have highs and lows, but here we are,” Galvan told reporters. “What we fought so hard and dreamed for since the beginning of the year in preseason, here we are.”
New England coach Bruce Arena was looking ahead to the match with Colorado when he started only two of his usual 11 against Orlando City. Goalkeeper Matt Turner and defender Andrew Farrell were the lone regulars in the lineup.
Buksa and MLS assists leader Carles Gil (18) didn’t enter the match until halftime and star striker Gustavo Bou (15 goals) entered in the 64th minute.
The Revolution had to rally with Buksa scoring in the 81st minute and the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
“Now we’re in better shape to play against Colorado on Wednesday,” Arena said. “I think if we had played our full team, it would be real difficult to recover and be ready on Wednesday. It’s obviously a risk. We gambled on it a little bit and we’re fortunate to walk away with a point.”
–Field Level Media
