Revolution-Rapids Preview

Both the Colorado Rapids' last victory and last goal came against a club that is no longer operational.

They'll seek to change those fortunes Saturday, but won't receive any favors from a New England Revolution team expecting three key players to return to action.

Colorado (0-0-3) became the first team in MLS history to open a season with three consecutive scoreless draws, the most recent coming March 28 against Houston. The Rapids are the only club in the league with zero goals for or against.

"I think (the defense) is the most important thing, that the team is solid and that they're not scoring on us or being dangerous," midfielder Lucas Pittinari told the Rapids' official website. "All the teams that are in formation build up from the back and it gives us tranquility that we haven't been scored on."

They haven't scored in five consecutive matches, last netting a goal against now-defunct Chivas USA on Oct. 11. Their last win came against the same Chivas team on July 25.

The Rapids can match the MLS record with an 18th consecutive winless game, a record held by Real Salt Lake (2005-06).

New England (1-2-1) had suffered through its own three-game scoring drought before last week's 2-1 win over San Jose. Kelyn Rowe notched both tallies after recording just two shots on goal through the first three games.

"I think it picks it up a little bit, it's not easy going three games without a goal and only having one point," Rowe told the Revolution's official website." I think especially at home it's good to find those goals, it's good to play well, and create these chances but I think going forward the confidence it going to be higher and I think you'll find goals from other guys as well."

The Revolution entered last season's matchup with the Rapids losers of eight in a row, but dispatched Colorado 3-0 as part of a 10-2-2 run to finish the regular season en route to the MLS Cup.

That win, however, came at home. The Revolution have been far less successful in Colorado, going 0-7-4 since winning in 2002, and sputtering to a 3-13-4 record all-time.

The returns of Teal Bunbury (shoulder sprain), Jermaine Jones (sports hernia surgery) and Kevin Alston (hamstring strain) could help New England reverse that trend. Bunbury's status is the most certain of the three, although both Jones and Alston have participated in training sessions and will likely be game-time decisions.

Jones had three goals and six assists in 15 games for the Revolution last season, including the playoffs.

"So far, what I have seen is that we have a lot of chances, and we haven't put them in," Jones said last week. "What I said last season is that we have to believe in everybody, in themselves and in their teammates, that we can win these games. ... Everybody needs to have that trust in each other."