Pat Noonan believes the international break came at the right time for FC Cincinnati to recover after their recent slump, which they will attempt to turn around at the New England Revolution.

Cincinnati sit second in the Eastern Conference on 29 points, but failed to win any of their four MLS matches before the break (D2 L2).

That run followed a run of just one loss in nine that stretched back to March, with Cincinnati winning seven games during that time.

"[We need to improve] our intensity in certain moments," he said. "Maybe we've gotten away from some of the areas that have made us strong in the past, as we look to be better defensively.

"[We need to be] more consistent. Set-pieces have let us down, and we conceded too many goals there, so that was specific.

"A lot of it was about accountability, about how the guys can come back in and add value. I think the break came at a good time for the group."

New England, meanwhile, built up some momentum before the break, going on a nine-match unbeaten streak, which started back in mid-April, following a 1-0 loss to Cincinnati.

After four consecutive draws, the Revs beat CF Montreal on June 10, allowing them to close in on the playoff spots, sitting 11th. 

This is the first of three consecutive matches at the Gillette Stadium, and head coach Caleb Porter is determined to make sure their form remains strong at home.

"It's important that you get in a rhythm and a run, and we did that on the road," he said.

"We've been one of the best road teams, but we're back at home now. We need to be one of the best home teams.

"There have been some games recently we dropped points, so this month we've got to get on a run and build that fortress at Gillette. It starts with this first game, a really important game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Ilay Feingold

Ilay Feingold (two goals, one assist) was involved in all three goals for New England against CF Montreal on May 31.

It was the first time a Revs player was involved in three goals in a regular-season match in nearly two years, since Carles Gil did so against Inter Miami in June 2023.

FC Cincinnati – Kevin Denkey

Kevin Denkey scored his 10th goal of the season on May 31, but he is yet to record an assist.

Denkey is one of two players (Brian White – 10) with seven or more goals this season but no assists.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

FC Cincinnati have won two of their last three matches against New England, including a 1-0 home win on April 5. Cincinnati had won just one of their first nine against the Revs in all competitions (D3 L5).

However, after winning seven of eight league matches (L1) from late March through mid-May, Cincinnati are winless in four straight games (D2 L2). Cincinnati last went more than four straight regular-season matches without a win in June-August 2022 (seven straight).

And, New England are unbeaten in nine consecutive regular-season matches (W5 D4), tied for the second-longest active streak in MLS (Vancouver Whitecaps – 11). The Revs have kept clean sheets in six of the nine matches during this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England Revolution – 34.5%

Draw – 25.9%

FC Cincinnati – 39.7%