The 10-man New England Revolution maintained their attempt to win the Supporters' Shield with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Friday night at Subaru Park, with Matt Polster poking in Arnor Traustason's free kick in the 33rd minute. While filling in for US international Matt Turner, Brad Knighton made eight saves to keep the Revs 14 points ahead atop the Shield table, with Nashville SC also winning on Friday. When Traustason took down Nathan Harriel 14 minutes after the interval, he was sent out for New England for his second booking in four minutes.

Once they had the upper hand, the personnel-strapped Union sought to add on the pressure. On a night when Philadelphia was missing seven players due to international call-ups, plus Ilsinho and Sergio Santos due to injuries, their efforts at Knighton's goal seldom signaled genuine danger. Gustavo Bou of New England was out due to a late-developing injury, but Carles Gil, the Revs captain, and MLS assist leader, returned in the 66th minute after missing all six August games due to a muscular ailment. Summer loan signing by the Union Six minutes later, Matheus Davo came off the bench to make his MLS debut.

New England concluded the season series versus Philadelphia with a 2W-0L-1D record, the same team that they eliminated from the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs. However, it's fair to argue that neither of the Revs' victories provided a useful preview of the playoffs. This game lacked key players on both sides. On May 12, after a 2-1 home win against New England, Philadelphia manager Jim Curtin rested a number of regulars for a midweek trip.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Trey Madara]