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Revolution-Crew Preview

The New England Revolution are happy with their winning ways though they would like to not have to come from behind constantly.

They'll look to post their first six-game win streak in over nine years Saturday night on the road and avenge an earlier defeat to the Columbus Crew, although star midfielder Jermaine Jones' status is in doubt.

New England (13-12-3) has matched its longest win streak of the year though it has had to rally from a goal down in each of the past three contests, including last Saturday's 2-1 win over Montreal that capped a three-game homestand.

"The starts have actually been very bright," coach Jay Heaps said. "It's been a mistake here, a mistake there. It hasn't really been a team breaking us down or us not moving the ball well."

Jones was forced to leave last weekend's match with a left leg contusion. Heaps said the midfielder is progressing, although it is unclear whether Jones will travel to Ohio.

The Revolution will try to win six straight for the first time since April 9-May 14, 2005, without forward Teal Bunbury, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Bunbury has scored twice in this win streak.

"We obviously lose the pace that Teal has and the work rate that he has out there," midfielder Kelyn Rowe said. "He's been playing very well."

Diego Fagundez, second on the team with five goals, figures to start. He will complement Lee Nguyen, who has five goals and two assists over the last five games.

This is a critical match since New England is in third place in the Eastern Conference with 42 points and Columbus (9-9-10) is fifth - for the East's final playoff spot - with 37.

The Crew ended a four-game slide versus the Revolution with a 2-1 road win July 26 that capped a seven-game losing streak for New England, which is in a far different mood now.

"Obviously they're a streaky team," Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark said. "We played them there on a losing streak and now they're back, won five in a row."

The first meeting marked Crew defender Michael Parkhurst's first contest against the team with which he broke in from 2005-08, winning league rookie of the year honors. These teams meet again in two weeks in New England.

Columbus has won three straight at home by outscoring foes 10-1. The Crew rallied from two goals down at halftime for a 2-2 draw last Saturday at Houston.

"We've been good at home," Clark said. "I'm really looking forward to the match and getting back out there after Houston."

Federico Higuain leads the Crew with nine goals and seven assists. He has scored three goals - all on free kicks - in four matches against the Revolution, with one coming in July.

"It's always (dangerous) when you have a guy like Higuain, I think he only hits free kicks against us," Heaps said. "He's dangerous and they're dangerous on other set pieces as well."

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