Revs carry rare momentum into matchup with Crew

The New England Revolution hope the impact from their first victory continues when they visit the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

The Revolution (1-3-1, 4 points) struggled through four games, including a 2-0 home loss to Columbus on March 9, but six lineup changes helped spark a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United on March 30.

"It's huge for everybody's confidence," Revolution forward Teal Bunbury said. "I know it's only five games into the season, but we've got to look forward now and try to build off this momentum."

Columbus (3-1-1, 10 points) is tied with D.C. United for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Crew are coming off a water-logged 2-0 win against visiting Atlanta United on March 30 in which much of the match at Mapfre Stadium was played in a torrential downpour that made the field almost unplayable.

It's no wonder Crew coach Caleb Porter focused on how his team scored both goals before the conditions deteriorated.

"I think people can't lose sight of the first half because it was a soccer game and we were the better team when it was a soccer game," he said.

Crew defender Josh Williams found another positive.

"You're looking around, everybody was miserable," he said. "Everybody was in a bad place mentally, but to be able to push through those conditions and fight out a win like that and to get a clean sheet was good for the locker room."

The Crew will try to contain Spanish midfielder Carles Gil, the offseason signing who has one goal and three assists in five games for the Revolution.

"I like to help organize the attack when I have the ball," Gil said. "I try to help the other midfielders, and the strikers, as well. We've formed a union."

Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen has three consecutive shutouts and has not allowed a goal since the sixth minute of the season opener vs. the New York Red Bulls -- a span of 354 minutes.

--Field Level Media