- New England records fourth consecutive shutout victory
- Ivacic surpasses 380-minute unbeaten goalkeeping stretch
- Toronto FC fails to score in 6 of last 8 matches
The New England Revolution's defensive transformation reached new heights Saturday as Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic anchored a 2-0 road victory over Toronto FC. With this result, the Revolution become the first MLS team this season to record four straight clean sheets - a stark contrast to their early-season struggles that saw three losses in four matches.
Carles Gil's 11th-minute volley exemplified New England's tactical evolution, capitalizing on wingback Ilay Feingold's aggressive overlap play. The Spanish midfielder's fifth goal in six matches places him among the league's top 10 scorers, while Leo Campana's clinical 27th-minute counterattack finish highlighted improved transitional efficiency under interim coach Richie Williams.
Defensive Dominance Reshapes Playoff Picture
New England's current 5-1 run mirrors the 2021 Supporters' Shield-winning campaign when they recorded seven shutouts in nine matches. Analysis of MLS champions since 2015 reveals teams averaging 0.8 goals against per game during summer months qualify for playoffs 89% of time - a benchmark the Revolution now meet (0.75 GA/G last month).
Ivacic's 385-minute shutout streak ranks as the league's sixth-longest since the COVID restart, surpassing NYCFC's Sean Johnson (2022) and LAFC's Maxime Crépeau (2023). The former Portland Timbers keeper's 81% save percentage during this stretch demonstrates improved communication with center backs Henry Kessler and Andrew Farrell.
Toronto's Offensive Woes Deepen
Saturday's match extended Toronto FC's winless streak to six games, with manager John Herdman facing mounting pressure. The Canadian club's 0.33 goals-per-game average since April ranks last in Eastern Conference, compounded by Lorenzo Insigne's ongoing injury absence. Comparative data shows only 12% of MLS teams with similar mid-season scoring droughts have reached playoffs since 2010.
Upcoming matches against Columbus Crew and Inter Miami will test Toronto's revamped 4-2-3-1 formation, which produced just 0.75 expected goals (xG) against New England. Front office sources indicate potential summer transfer moves targeting Bundesliga striker Maximilian Beier to address scoring deficiencies.
