The New England Revolution’s three-game win streak has one common denominator.

Midfielder Carles Gil, the Revolution’s captain and playmaker, has registered an assist in all of them, the eighth time in his MLS career where he’s had helpers in three straight games.

Gil leads the Revolution in goals (5) and assists (4) and will look to add to those totals when the Revolution visit FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at TQL Stadium. The Revolution (5-10-1) are in 15th place in the MLS Eastern Conference while FC Cincinnati (12-3-3) is second.

“For me, he’s one of the best players in the league,” said Revolution head coach Caleb Porter. “I’ve said it from day one, but I also think he is in as good of form as he’s ever been. Obviously, he’s been in really good form in his career in certain years, but I think his influence on both sides of the ball, not just with goals and assists, but just with rhythm.”

Gill will be making in his milestone 150th MLS appearance. He ranks second in MLS in key passes (60) and shot-creating actions (118). Gil’s 67 assists are the second most in club history behind Steve Rolston (73) and the most in MLS since the 2019 season. Gil had four goals and 11 assists in 2021, when he captured the Landon Donovan MLS-MVP Award.

“He’s not getting credit for some assists that are, really, he was instrumental in setting up the goal, he just didn’t get the actual assist in some cases,” said Porter.

“I think he’s playing as well as we’ve ever seen him play in his career. It’s great to see and I think it’s a byproduct of him working really hard and having a great attitude. He really fits into our game model as a true number ten, who is a true fulcrum for our attack.”

Gil was down on both himself and the team following the club’s heartbreaking 1-0 home loss to New York City FC on May 25 that left the Revolution buried deep in last place in the Eastern Conference. The Revolution have a huge uphill battle to make the MLS playoffs and Cincinnati FC is the reigning MLS Supporters Shield winners. But Gil has a brighter outlook as the Revolution approach the midpoint in the MLS season with two games in hand on the rest of the league.

“We’re in the best moment and we want to continue like this, winning games,” said Gill. “We’re still in the bottom, we’re still not happy with our season, for the moment. I think we have a perfect test against maybe the best team over the last year and a half, and we want to win.”

“I think everyone has made the steps to improve, better performances from the team. We want to make the playoffs, for sure. I think it’s a good test to show everyone that we’re back, that we’re a good team. If we win in Cincinnati, with four in a row, it would be nice.”

FC Cincinnati’s attack is led by dual threat midfielder Luciano Acosta, the 2023 Landon Donovan Award winner. Acosta is the most dangerous offensive player in the league not named Lionel Messi.

Acosta is the key contributor on a team that has produced 31 goals in 18 games with 257 shots and 104 shots on target. Acosta leads the club in goals (9), assists (14), shots (54), shots on target (19), game-winning goals (6), game-winning assists (5) and fouls suffered (34).

“He has been one of the best players in the league and we’re going to look out for him,” said right back Nick Lima. “He’s a key factor for them, has been and will continue to be.

“So, we have to go with him in the front of our mind throughout the whole night. As you can see, he slips away for a minute and wins a game, last minute. He’s a tough player. I think they have a locker room of good players with plenty of experience.”