The New England Revolution are suddenly right up there with the hottest teams in MLS after defeating Toronto FC 2-0 to extend their winning streak to four games.
When the dust cleared following the Saturday night slate, the Revolution sat eighth in the Eastern Conference,
But MLS is often a streaky league, and whether the Revolution are suddenly a true East contender or simply enjoying a random good patch of form is yet to be seen.
Here's the case for each scenario.
Why the Revs could be for real
Carles Gil
While the Spaniard has had some occasional injury issues as he's aged, the 32-year-old is still one of the best dual-threat playmakers in MLS when he's healthy.
He's on pace to score a career-best 16 times this season. That probably won't happen, but the point remains, when he's on the pitch there's always the chance for something special to happen.
Getting healthy
New England's sudden improvement has coincided with the return of several players who were expected to be significant contributors.
That includes striker Leonardo Campana, who scored his second goal for his new club Saturday in his seventh appearance, having missed several weeks with a hamstring issue, as well as midfieler Matt Polster, who remains a key field general and who made his seventh appearance on Saturday.
Solid at the back
Perhaps the most encouraging trait for New England's long-term prospects is the ability to keep things tight defensively.
The Revs are on a four-match shutout streak in addition to their four-game winning run, but even when they were losing they were tough to break down. Their seven goals conceded is the fewest in MLS.
Why the Revs could be a mirage
The schedule
You can only play the teams on your schedule, but the quality of the Revs' wins is not much to look at.
Of the five teams New England has beaten, the New York Red Bulls are the highest ranked in the current Eastern Conference table, sitting ninth.
The depth
Maybe New England wasn't fully fit at times during their earlier season struggles. But the skeptic would say those fitness issues weren't particularly acute.
In particular, the fact that the Revs don't seem to have someone who can be a replacement-level center forward when Campana is unavailable is a problem.
The summer transfer window
Several Eastern Conference foes are likely to make splashy additions during the MLS secondary transfer window this summer, with Miami, Chicago and Atlanta among them.
But if history is an indication, New England is likely to make only more minor reinforcements as it eyes trying to secure a postseason spot and beyond.