Caleb Porter and his New England Revolution side are preparing for a “different” challenge when they travel to New York City FC in Saturday’s MLS road trip.
The Revs will head to the Yankee Stadium, home of MLB team the New York Yankees, playing in the outfield of a baseball diamond.
A unique challenge may provide Porter welcome distraction, with his side winless in their first three MLS games and the only team yet to score a goal.
“It’s different,” Porter said of the visit to the Yankees’ home. “Every game is a little different, but this one is kind of interesting from the standpoint of the field, the pitch size, the orientation of it, the outfield.
“Yankee Stadium, it’s kind of a strange orientation. It’s a very tight pitch. It’s the smallest pitch in the league.
“Some of your decisions in terms of how you’re going to play and who you’re going to select to play need to be based on the conditions and understanding that it’s a very tight pitch.”
Last time out against the Revs at Yankee Stadium pic.twitter.com/itJTmDaMCn
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) March 13, 2025
The Revs made some “different” decisions of their own in the off-season, opting to part ways with three of their top four MLS scorers last season in Giacomo Vrioni (nine goals), Bobby Wood (four goals) and Esmir Bajraktarevic (three goals).
The Pigeons also opted for a change of scenery, appointing head coach Pascal Jansen, who oversaw his first MLS victory in a 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC last time out.
New York suffered only one defeat at their Yankee Stadium home ground last season in the competition, and will be keen to continue that run against the struggling Revs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York City FC – Alonso Martinez
Alonso Martinez scored in New York’s win over Orlando on Saturday, his 10th regular-season goal since MLS returned from the Leagues Cup break last August.
That hot streak leaves him tied with Christian Benteke for the most goals in the league in across that period.
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
The Revs’ struggles in front of goal have been well-documented, but Carles Gil could be central to any hopes of turning around their attacking fortunes.
The midfielder led his team for touches (87) and passes (61) in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union, and will be expected to pull the strings once more in New York.
MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY FC WIN
New York will be the heavy favourites heading into this clash, owing to their strong head-to-head record in this fixture and the Revs’ recent struggles.
Indeed, NYCFC have won four of their last five home matches against New England in all competitions (D1), keeping clean sheets in four of the five games.
Jansen’s side won just three of their first nine home matches against the Revs (D2 L4) with just one clean sheet in those games – but a turnaround in the recent record is far from expected on Saturday.
New England have failed to score in their first three matches of a season for the third time in club history (2014, 2015). Only two teams in MLS history, Colorado Rapids in 2015 and Toronto FC in 2007, have been shut out in each of their first four games of a regular season before.
However, they could become the third here considering NYCFC have won four of their last five home matches dating back to the end of last season (L1).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York City FC win – 58%Draw – 21.9%New England Revolution win – 20.2%
