The Revolution and FC Dallas last met in the US Open Cup final last September, with a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League on the line. New England took an early lead, but could not stop a relentless onslaught by Dallas and lost, 4-2.
On Saturday, the Revolution will return to the place where their Cup dreams were dashed — Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas — looking for their first win of the season.
New England has played only one game so far, a 1-0 loss at Colorado March 4, as the scheduled home opener last weekend was postponed because of frigid weather. The weather also has disrupted Revolution practices.
Now, New England winds up starting the season with a pair of road games at two of the toughest places to play in MLS.
“Weather is weather,’’ said coach Jay Heaps. “I grew up in this area. February, it’s beautiful, it’s 60 degrees, and now we’re talking about a blizzard. Roll with the punches and make sure we get our work in so that we’re ready for Dallas.’’
While the Revolution have played sparingly, Dallas will be playing its fifth game of the month. On March 1, it lost to the Panamanian team Arabe Unido, 2-1, in CONCACAF play. After a 2-1 win at Los Angeles to open its MLS campaign, then a 0-0 draw at Sporting KC last week, Dallas defeated Pachuca, 2-1, in the CONCACAF semifinals Wednesday. Many of Dallas’s regular starters played in the comeback win.
“They’re already basically seven or eight games in,’’ said Heaps. “We have to be ready for a midseason game.’’
New England and Dallas last met in the regular season on May 21, 2016, in Foxborough. Sloppy defense by the Revolution led to a 4-2 loss.
Lackluster defending was a major issue for New England last season, and a goal differential of minus-10 kept the Revolution out of the playoffs. They have added reinforcements in Antonio Delamea and Guingamp loaner Benjamin Angoua, who performed admirably in the opener.
Dallas, meanwhile, was one of the top offensive teams last season and rode its firepower to the Supporters’ Shield. However, top playmaker Mauro Diaz, who recorded 7 goals and 18 assists in all competitions last year, remains sidelined with an Achilles’ tear sustained at the end of last season.
For New England, Saturday night represents an early test against one of the best teams in MLS, something the entire club is looking forward to.
“We’ve got to be ready to go into a tough environment against a really good team,’’ said defender Andrew Farrell. “It’s going to see what kind of grit we have and hopefully we get a good result.’’
Revolution vs. FC Dallas■ When, where: Saturday, 8 p.m., Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas.
■ TV, radio: CSN, WBZ-FM (98.5).
■ Coaches: Revolution — Jay Heaps; Dallas — Oscar Pareja.
■ Formations: Revolution — 4-4-2; Dallas — 4-3-3.
■ Goalkeepers: Revolution — Cody Cropper; Dallas — Chris Seitz or Jesse Gonzalez.
■ Referee: Alan Kelly.
■ Out: Revolution — G Brad Knighton (concussion), M Zachary Herivaux (ankle); Dallas — M Mauro Diaz (Achilles’), M Ryan Hollingshead (neck), M Anibal Chala (hernia), M Victor Ulloa (hernia).
■ Miscellany: This is a rematch of the 2016 US Open Cup final won by Dallas, 4-2 . . . New England has lost its last six matchups against FC Dallas . . . New England last won at Dallas on April 24, 2008 (1-0).
Dan Shulman can be reached at dan.shulman@globe.com; follow him on Twitter @GlobeDanShulman
