For the first time this season, the Revolution (5-7-2, 17 points) will venture across the border to face Toronto FC (1-10-1, 4 points) for a conference clash at BMO Field on Saturday.

Kick-off is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast regionally on Comcast SportsNet New England. The Sports Hub 98.5 will provide local listeners with a radio feed.

Last season, the Revolution and Reds battled to a pair of draws on June 15 (0-0) and Oct. 22 (2-2) en route to a set of campaigns that both fell short of expectations. But this year, a new storyline awaits. This time around, the New England-Toronto rivalry brings with it an added dimension of drama, thanks to a recent turn of events.

On June 7, former Revolution assistant Paul Mariner succeeded Aron Winter as Toronto head coach. During Mariner’s time in Foxborough (2004-09), his focused yet lighthearted approach endeared him to both the coaching staff and players. Suffice to say, Saturday’s opponent is no stranger to Mariner, who guided and instructed a number of players who remain on the Revolution roster.

But wait. There’s more.

Among the players Mariner coached during his Revolution tenure, one in particular -- a fiery outside back with a propensity for pushing forward -- may have learned a thing or two from the former Ipswich Town striker. That player? Jay Heaps, who retired shortly after Mariner left Foxborough in 2009 and was appointed to coach the Revolution last fall.

Although Saturday’s clash carries an intriguing pupil-vs.-teacher subplot, both teams have too much at stake to dwell on it for long.

For the Revolution, the porous Toronto defense (26 goals allowed) opens an excellent opportunity for the attack to re-establish itself after last week’s 0-0 draw against Columbus. And the Toronto attack? Not much better, with a paltry 11 goals scored to its credit. But getting three points in Toronto won’t be easy for the Revolution, especially with skipper Shalrie Joseph’s status uncertain.

For Toronto, the return home can’t come soon enough. After watching a potential road win slip through their fingers in Houston on Wednesday, they’ll be anxious to find redemption in front of their supporters. Matched against a New England squad that’s never won at BMO Field, the Reds have to like their chances, especially with Mariner’s insight on the Revolution at their disposal.

So what will the Revolution have to do to come out victorious on Saturday?

1. Don’t underestimate Toronto. Although the Reds are in the midst of a nightmarish season, the Revolution should expect an opponent who won’t back down or buckle, especially at home. Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings are still capable of brilliance. Meanwhile, Reggie Lamb and Ryan Johnson both have the instincts to wreak havoc on any given back four.

2. If at first you don’t succeed, try something else. If there’s one thing that’s hampered the Revs’ success on the attack, it has to be their inability to switch things up when stymied. Against Columbus, the Revs kept attacking inside instead of going wide and stretching the field. To put Toronto on its heels, the Revs have to be open to changing their points of attack at any given time.

3. Capitalize on Toronto’s mistakes. The conference table is the biggest clue that Toronto is prone to making mistakes -- and lots of them. Yes, they may have endured troubling spells of poor luck and shots hitting the post, but the reason why they’re in last place is simple: They cannot get out of their own way. In light of that, the Revolution have to be ready when a fortuitous blunder presents them with a golden opportunity.

A trip to Toronto has consistently offered nothing more than frustration for the Revolution, who are 0-2-3 all-time at BMO Field. But this time around, they may have the Reds right where they want them: desperate and prone to dropping points.