MLS

• Revs searching for league success against Union

  Chester, PA (Sports Network) - New England has won four straight games without allowing a goal, but just one of those matches was in Major League Soccer. The Revolution hope to build on their SuperLiga success in league play Saturday at PPL Park against the expansion Philadelphia Union.

  New England won all three of its SuperLiga group games, 1-0, to advance to the semifinals. But in MLS, the Revolution (4-9-2) are even with the Union (4-8-2) in the Eastern Conference with just 14 points halfway through the season.

  The Revs last played an MLS game on July 10 against the Los Angeles Galaxy and posted their most impressive win of the season, 2-0, over the league's overall leader.

  New England had won just one of its previous 11 MLS matches before the victory over L.A., and were shutout seven times during that stretch. New England's win over the Galaxy was just its third shutout of the season, but it sparked a run in SuperLiga play.

  Central defender Darrius Barnes returned from a right foot injury against L.A. and has played a major role in the team's turnaround. Barnes was paired in the middle with Emmanuel Osei, and veteran goalie Matt Reis posted his first clean sheet of the season against L.A.

  Following the L.A. win, New England topped Mexico's Pumas and Morelia, and the Chicago Fire, in SuperLiga group play with those three anchoring the team.

  "The main thing - just organization and keeping our shape. If we get everybody in the right shape and everybody in the right spots," Barnes said on the Revs' website, "we're going to be successful.

  "We have something good going on right now. We're playing well, we've put a little winning streak together, and hopefully we can continue to build on that." New England will have to find a way to win on the road to continue its streak, as it has lost six of its seven road matches in MLS.

  Philadelphia has built its success at home, earning 10 of its 14 points at PPL Park or Lincoln Financial Field. The Union won their last game against Toronto FC on July 17, and traded for midfielder Justin Mapp from Chicago this week.

  Mapp, a 25-year-old with nine years of MLS experience, will add another cog to the young Union, who have just one loss in their last four matches. Sebastien Le Toux, who has a team-high seven goals, could benefit from Mapp's addition.

  Le Toux started for the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to Manchester United. Mapp is a former MLS Best XI and has 36 career assists. Mapp admitted he was a little surprised by the trade, but is ready for a new challenge.

  "It's a little bittersweet," Mapp said. "I'm excited to be here though, and very optimistic, so I'm looking forward to it."

  07/30 13:07:14 ET