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Red Bulls-Revolution Preview

While the New York Red Bulls are enjoying their longest unbeaten run to open a season, it's probably a stretch to say they've displayed the best form in the Eastern Conference.

That distinction may belong to the New England Revolution, but the two conference finalists from a season ago have an opportunity to define things more clearly Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

New England (4-2-2) came out ahead 4-3 in the two-leg November series, but that came after the Red Bulls (3-0-4) won both regular-season matchups.

"It's always a big game against New York," midfielder Kelyn Rowe told the club's official website. "They always give us a good game and when we go there, we usually give them a good game, as well.

"Going back to the playoff game when we had all those fans in New York, I think it's going to be a huge game here because it's a home game. They're a little bit of a rival for us and right now they're unbeaten."

The Revolution have gone unbeaten in their last six after back-to-back victories, including a 4-0 win last Saturday over visiting Real Salt Lake. Since losing their first two matches, they've outscored opponents 10-2 with four shutouts.

Charlie Davies has scored in two straight matches and had three goals in three matches against New York last season.

The win over Salt Lake bumped New England to 2-0-2 at home with a 6-1 scoring advantage. Dating to July 30, the Revs are 10-0-4 at home, the franchise's longest home unbeaten stretch, with a 26-9 advantage while conceding more than a goal only once.

That was a 2-2 playoff draw with New York on Nov. 29 that started an eight-match unbeaten streak. Another would match two nine-game unbeaten runs (Aug. 31-Nov. 3, 2013 and June 17-July 22, 2000) for tops in franchise history.

The Red Bulls are the only unbeaten side remaining in MLS, and though their season to date has been encouraging, they weren't thrilled with Wednesday's 1-1 home draw with Colorado. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored from the penalty spot to even the match in the 30th minute, and he's scored in his last two games against New England.

The Red Bulls, however, have gone two regular-season matches without a win for the first time since a three-match winless streak from July 16-30. They're 11-4-5 since, but after the draws they're wondering if teams have figured out their attacking style.

"I think teams are sitting back now trying to clog things, playing direct, playing forward, trying to counter us, inviting possession through the middle and trying to jump on us," coach Jesse Marsch told the club's official website.

"... And then we've got to figure out how to deal with it, both by being better with the ball in possession and creating more chances, and then also finding ways to press them even when they don't want to try to play and they're just going to try and play direct."

For a team that hasn't lost, New York has fallen behind an inordinate amount, conceding the first goal in four of seven games, including three of the last four.

"It's getting annoying," Sacha Kljestan said. "... The mentality had been so good to come back, but why are we putting ourselves in that position?"

The Revolution, meanwhile, have trailed for 22 minutes over their last six matches.

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