Revolution Vs. Chivas: Shalrie Joseph Returns To New England For The First Time

The New England Revolution have come back home to take on Chivas USA at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night. The Revs are still fighting to end an eight-game winless run and five-match losing streak after Saturday's 4-3 loss to Columbus. Chivas, though in a decent position to make a playoff push, are on a rough three-game stretch where they've conceded eleven goals and scored just three.

This match will also be the first time that former Revolution captain and legend Shalrie Joseph will return to Foxboro, now wearing the uniform of LA's other team. Joseph was went to the Goats in an early-August trade for Blair Gavin, allocation money, and a draft pick. Joseph has featured in all of Chivas' last three matches, in which they've gone 0-2-1. Gavin has not made it off the injury report.

Chivas is a team that has been completely reliant on its defense for the majority of the season. Discounting the last three matches, the Goats conceded just 21 goals in 20 matches. Their biggest problem has been offense; in their 23 total matches of 2012, they've scored just 17 goals. MLS All-Star goalkeeper Dan Kennedy mans the pipes, and even if the Chivas defense leaks like a sieve, beating him will take something special from the Revolution forwards.

The lack of goals belies a squad that actually has a lot of talent. Juan Agudelo, Tristan Bowen, Nick LaBrocca, and Juan Pablo Angel are just a couple of the dangerous attackers that suit up for the Goats. They just haven't seemed to find a way to connect for goals, but that doesn't mean the Revs' defense can switch off. If Stephen McCarthy and A.J. Soares put in a performance like the one seen in Columbus, Chivas will tear them apart.

Lee Nguyen is listed as probable with his ankle issue. He might be good to start, though he was also listed as Probable for Saturday and came off the bench. With another match coming up at the weekend and then another next Wednesday, Jay Heaps may decide the wisest course would be to keep Nguyen on the bench again as a precaution.

Alec Purdie is also probable. Blair Gavin is once again doubtful with his "hamstring tightness," making it unlikely that he will make his Revolution debut. Sainey Nyassi and Bobby Shuttleworth are out.

New England's overall record against Chivas isn't great. They are 5-7-2 since the Goats came into the league in 2005. However, that includes a favorable 4-2-1 mark at Gillette Stadium, where Wednesday night's match will be contested. Last season, the Goats swept the Revolution in the season series, including a 3-2 victory in Foxboro.

The match will be televised live on CSN at 8:00 PM EST. 98.5 The Sports Hub will handle the radio call.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.