New England Revolution v Atlanta United: Moreira searching for 'missing ingredient'

New England Revolution interim head coach Pablo Moreira says he will use the last three games of the season to find the team's "missing ingredient", starting against Atlanta United.

The Revs suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union last weekend, ending their faint hopes of a playoff place as they sit 12 points behind ninth-place Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference.

That was New England's 15th defeat of the season, and their 11th by a 1-0 scoreline, while they are winless in their last four MLS outings (D1 L3).

Moreira's side have not won at home since August 10, and he is hoping to finish the season on a high while using the matches left to see if they can turn their luck.

"For me, [11 1-0 losses] says that while we're close, there's obviously a missing ingredient," Moreira said, as quoted by the Blazing Musket substack. "My job for the next three games is to find that.

"I just go back to MLS is a league of parity, and the margins are slim. We're not finding ways to win games.

"That's our goal for the next three games, to find what those finite details are and execute on those."

Atlanta are also unable to make the playoffs, sitting two places below New England, with five points fewer, though they do have a game in hand.

They have won just one of their last 14 MLS outings, a 1-0 win over Nashville SC, but since then, goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert has conceded six goals in two matches.

Head coach Ronny Deila is not worried about his confidence, though, backing him to continue improving.

"I feel he is very safe in himself," he said. "He's being taken care of.

"He's saved us in a couple of situations when we don't score our goals. He needs to keep on attacking the situation and showing himself. He's young, he's talented, and he has a good future in front of him."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Matt Turner

While New England have at times struggled for goals, Matt Turner will also be hoping to shore up at the other end as he seeks a first clean sheet since August 10.

He has faced 90 shots in his seven MLS games so far, conceding 10 goals from 10.6 expected goals against (xGA), but he will be key if the Revs want to turn their form around.

Atlanta United – Miguel Almiron

Miguel Almiron made his 100th appearance for Atlanta in all competitions last time out against San Diego FC, scoring a 61st-minute penalty to earn them a 1-1 draw.

That strike means he is now the outright scorer for the club on 27 goals (five of which have come in MLS this season), with only Josef Martinez ahead of him.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND WIN

The previous MLS fixture between the teams saw New England triumph 1-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in April. Carles Gil scored for the Revs in the 36th minute with a penalty.

In fact, New England have won six of their last nine MLS matches against Atlanta (D2 L1), with four of those victories coming at Gillette Stadium.

Their home form has been shaky in 2025, though, as they have lost nine of their 15 such matches (W3 D3), while they are winless in their last three.

But Atlanta are also seeking to address a poor run of form on the road, with just one away win in the league all season (D5 L8).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England Revolution – 40.7%

Draw – 26.7%

Atlanta United – 32.6%