The New England Revolution have an opportunity to enhance their standing in the East by pulling three points out of the West.

The Revolution (7-11-1) will cross the continental divide and engage the Seattle Sounders FC (7-7-7) in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday night (10:30) at Lumer Field.

The match is the Revolution’s third in eight days. They took a 5-1 loss to the reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew on June 29 and a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United FC on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.

The Revolution have won five of the last six games to slide into 11th place in the MLS Eastern Conference, two points short of the final playoff slot with 15 games remaining in the regular season. Seattle is in ninth place in the Western Conference and has won four straight at home.

“Playing a non-conference team, we kind of look at it as bonus points,” said Revolution first-year head coach Caleb Porter. “So, can we go there to Seattle and get some points?

“That’s the goal and it won’t be easy. The are in good form, Seattle, and it’s obviously a long trip across the country.”

The congested schedule is a big problem for Porter because his team depth has been decimated by injuries, most notably captain and scoring leader Carles Gil, who will miss his third straight game with a calf injury. Midfielder Matt Polster has worn the captain’s arm band in the last two games.

Forward Dylan Borrero and striker Bobby Woods can play limited minutes while attacking right back Brandon Bye, who missed the first 16 games recovering from knee surgery, has appeared in the second half of the last three.

The onus on finding the back of the net will fall on the capable shoulders of striker Giacomo Vrioni, the point man in Porter’s 4-2-3-1 scheme. Vrioni has scored five goals in the last four games that included a brace in the win over Atlanta United FC. Vrioni leads the team with six MLS goals and 10 overall.

“We are looking at all options to fill our bench and we have to evaluate the health of the players as well,” said Porter. “With this being our third game in a week and them not having a midweek game, our depth now is very thin.

“The last thing we want to do is go and get in an open track meet game where we are gambling. That wouldn’t be smart. We have to play a very organized game. We don’t have much depth right now.”

Playing an organized game without Gil orchestrating the buildup in the middle third is not as easy as it sounds. Midfielder Noel Buck and left back DeJuan compensated for Gil’s absence against Atlanta United FC with exceptional helpers on Vrioni’s goals.

The Sounders have a deep roster of fast, athletic players that can pressure the Revolution and create the wide-open “swashbuckling” transitional game Porter seeks to avoid. Sounders veteran coach Brian Schmetzer uses the same 4-2-3-1 scheme that Porter prefers but Seattle has a horde of accomplished scorers that can finish plays in the penalty area. The Sounders’ rainmaker is central midfielder Albert Rusnak, who has three goals and nine assists with five helpers in the last seven matches.

Jordan Morris is the Sounders’ striker and he has seven goals, one assist, 36 shots and 16 shots on target. Volatile forward Raul Ruidiaz has been a dynamo in the attacking third with a team best in goals (8), shots (66) and shots on target (26). He is tied with Morris with three game-winning goals.

“They have good players and they are dynamic, usually very athletic and they have some young players as well,” said Porter. “Jordan Morris is a handful up top and I’ve always been a fan of his (Rusnak), even when he was in Salt Lake. He’s a very good player and he’s kind of playing his role as the 10.

“The core of this group has won a lot over the years in this league. They have confidence right now but our guys will be up for it. We are going to go there with belief and hopefully a good plan. But it is definitely a game where we have to be smart.”