D.C. United vs. New England Revolution: Preview, time and how to watch
And just like that, another season is upon us. Tonight, D.C. United host the New England Revolution at Audi Field to kick off their 2024 MLS campaign.
Both teams return to the league off the backs of respectively disappointing seasons. D.C. finished twelfth in the east – though only narrowly missing out on playoff contention – while New England finished fifth in the east, only to go out in the first round to the Philadelphia Union.
Looking to improve upon last year, a busy off season has seen many personnel changes for D.C. United in both players, and management. While the club is under the leadership of new head coach, Troy Lesesne, he will be serving a one-game touchline suspension as a result of the red card he received in 2023. Assistant Coach Zach Prince will take the lead for tonight’s match in his stead.
Being handed the role as the New York Red Bull’s interim manager roughly a third of way into last season, he took the team from bottom of the Eastern Conference to an 8th place wildcard finish, eventually falling to FC Cincinnati on penalties in the first round.
On the player front, a lot of new faces were brought into the squad, with the acquisitions being a mixture of young talent – the making of Gabriel Pirani’s loan deal from Santos permanent being a notable example – and some more seasoned players being brought in on swap deals that see several defensive staples from last season’s team sheet depart.
Notable departures include Chris Durkin, Derrick Williams, Donovan Pines, and Brendan Hines-Ike. All of whom played over 1,000 minutes last campaign, the prior three registering over 2,000.
In that aforementioned busy offseason, D.C. United made their way to Saudi Arabia to train and play friendlies against teams from the rapidly growing Saudi Pro League. This didn’t sit well with many D.C. United fans, and has led to action from many organized supporter groups in protest of the club’s recent partnership with the Saudi Arabian government. They plan to do so by not providing their usual organized support for the first four matches of the season, so don’t be surprised if this particular opening day feels different than those prior.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Coming off of his first full MLS season, the Belgian bagged fourteen goals and added a further three assists. While a decent return, he’ll be eager to build on that tally this campaign with a vibrant new cast of players around him. Ending the season with four goals in his final three games, the vice captain will be looking to start this year on a similar trajectory.
Watch out for: Carles Gil
The 2021 MLS Player of the Year continues to be a skilled playmaker, and the driving attacking force for the Revs. Since the beginning of his MVP season, Gil has registered 47 assists meaning he has the fifth best (tied) assist output across a three-season period in MLS history. D.C. will want to keep tabs on the Spaniard through the whole 90.
Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Referee: Andrew Musashe
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Well done eschewing a prediction for the starting lineup. Benteke, Klich, Peltola, TKD, and some others.
BTW, this is not sarcasm, we have no idea who is playing
We were finally able to dig up availability about 20 minutes ago hidden away in a forsaken corner of the internet and not included in the game guides officially posted by either team.
Including it here:
D.C. United
Steven Birnbaum – Left Knee (Out)
Russell Canouse – Right Ankle (Out)
Tyler Miller – Right Shoulder (Out)
Jacob Murrell – Right Thigh (Out)
Garrison Tubbs – Right Thigh (Out)
New England Revolution
Dylan Borrero – Left Knee (Out)
Brandon Bye – Right Knee (Out)
Henry Kessler – Left Adductor (Questionable)
Google is giving us a whopping 46% chance of winning this game to New England’s 27% (draw obviously making up the difference). I gotta say, even as a fan who has persevered through a lot and has some level of faith in this eventual rebuild, those numbers are very optimistic.
Home field advantage at AF accounts for the “very optimistic” outlook?
Probably, but this is MLS and we’re rebuilding. Like, a lot. I wouldn’t take those odds.
And DC has been (one of) the worst team in MLS in terms of getting points at home.
The home advantage in MLS is both real and inexplicable. The home team winning differential is off the charts compared to Europe.
So, here be the starters
Gotta say, that’s some potentially high quality players and some real scrubs. Also, Santos, whose legs were already falling off last season. Hoo boy.
The US Men’s 7s went 2-1 in pool play today at the Vancouver 7s. That’s booked them a spot in the Quarterfinals. They beat Samoa 21-7 and Australia 26-21, but lost to France 24-12. The Women’s 7s are also through to the Quarterfinals at the Vancouver 7s. They beat Japan 26-14 and Fiji 21-17, but lost to Australia 17-12.
The men play Great Britain at 9:22 PM tonight in the quarterfinals. The US women are currently trailing Canada 12-7 in the Quarterfinals.
The US falls to Canada in the Women’s Vancouver 7s QFs 12-10. The 2 first half yellow cards for the US and Canada made good the advantage.
About 24 minutes in. DC did a great job of pressing early and penning in NE, but had little theory at that point as to how to make it a goal. If our idea is to turn the ball over high up, we’ve gotta do better.
Andddd NE’s star striker just got sent off with double yellows before the 26th minute.
This game has turned into a bit of a training exercise to see if we can break down a heavy low block.
Benteke’s header an early reminder that there is no reason not to have goal line technology in a professional league
Frankly, I was pretty certain it crossed in real time, was waiting for the ref’s watch to tick, then realized they still are Stone Age with this shit
Sorry, anyway, it’s not a game thread without BENTEKE!!! GOAL!!! It’s in the net!!!
A little odd that we don’t have a full bench when four players are listed as not injured but not dressed by Goff. Jeahze is the biggest absence imo – maybe he’s on the trading block? – but Garay is also a bit odd to see as not on the bench when we don’t really have many CMs.
We’re up 1-0 and been dominant in the first half opener against a historical conference rival. Don’t really care about the players who suck too much to be considered. It’s tough, but Garay has been surplus to how many regimes now? Time to stop asking where he is, clearly the answer is filling out college apps.
Jeahze is a strange one, I admit, featured in preseason, but maybe you’re right and he’s heading elsewhere somehow
Stroud with an eye popping clang off the crossbar from what felt like two inches from the line.
He had a fine box to box day. That was unfortunate.
Thanks to the highlights for reminding me that Bono absolutely saved our bacon earlier.
19 shots in the first half. I’ll take it, but next time, let’s up the conversion rate.
At least the on target rate. Only 2 shots on target. 13 of those 19 shots were blocked.
Off the match, an impressive group of United greats line up to honor Dave Johnson. Hamid, Harkes, Moreno, Etcheverry, pretty cool. McTavish was also there, of course.
Was Quaranta there? He shared some time in the broadcast booth with Dave.
Didn’t look like he was there, but maybe he wasn’t central in the shot
Nice to see John Harkes and Jaime Moreno there for Dave Johnson’s ceremony. There might have been some others, but I didn’t see. Also, if that lady was Dave’s special lady, well done to him!
I was watching St. Louis highlights a few weeks ago, and I was impressed with his energy. He’s been showing that plenty tonight. I feel like Ben Olsen would have loved this guy. Matti Peltola has been solid too. Between those two and Klich, we’re going to cover a LOT of ground this year.
Teddy KDP and Pirani need to get a little sharper.
Is it possible that last season, we suffered from a skewed perception due to lack of effective pieces last year? I hope you’re right, and it’s a form problem. Could also be operating in a different system. At any rate, would like those two to show better second half
I assume you mean Stroud. He’s a dynamo of energy. Hopefully, his soccer brain can catch up. He seemed to be running around like a chicken with out a head. Never seen anyone circle so much, when he had the ball at his foot.
Still, he wasn’t as terrifying as Santos was. Looking forward to seeing Antley lay claim to that spot, unless Jeahze surfaces. On the other side, I loved Herrera. I hope he can lock down that position for the next 5 years.
Loved Peltola. Pure class.
Very impressed with Bono. The CBs need work, but there’s real potential there. Benteke is a handful. In MLS, that’s enough.
Stroud and Pertola played just fine. Give me more of that pro effort.
Despite being charged for a new subscription, Season Pass isn’t letting me watch on my laptop. I can watch it on my phone though. It shouldn’t even really matter, since this is supposed to a “free to view” game for everyone.
Old man grumbling about just wanting to watch it on cable.
It is a mind-boggling sloppy system from a company that is usually super friendly to use
Santos uncovering new ground in how close to a PK you can foul someone. Ref is reviewing, wouldn’t blame him either way
Santos also just tried some weird backheel move to clear a ball and totally whiffed. Just led to a dangerous New England free kick right outside the area. Let’s hold our breaths…
Don’t worry, he’s only on a yellow now 🫣
If Bono is still on something close to a league minimum salary, that is a STEAL for us.
Fun fact, when an announcer yells Stroud’s surname with excitement, as when he took a shot, it sounds like that announcer is having a stroke.
Uh oh. Ian Harkes is coming on. Two goals for New England, coming right up.
You were both right and wrong.
Ian Harkes is coming in. Whirligig of Time, please bring in no revenges…
Pirani is… not a good shooter.
Does Pirani have negative finishing technique?
He’s signed through next year, with options for 2026 and 2027.
I think he’s got qualities but… he’s a professional soccer player, how can he be this bad at kicking it in that moment?
You know who would probably be burying a lot of these chances? Kristian Fletcher.
Pirani must have watched Gil’s goal and said, “wait, you’re Allowed to do that??
Welp.
New England DPs, and Carles Gil specifically, tend to do that against DC.
And in response, we bring on our USL guy.
Our USL guy quickly got his first MLS assist. Hopefully, he’ll push Santos to the bench, while we wait for answers on what’s up with Jeahze.
Yeah, have to give him credit there, especially because he’s supposed to be more of a right-sided/central guy. He displayed a lot of tenacity in his time there.
But yeah, the Jeahze thing is really concerning. If he’s not in Lesesne’s plans, that basically leaves Conner Antley as the primary backup to both Aaron Herrera and Pedro Santos (and Santos had some worrying defensive play). Behind him? Stroud and Dajome? A Graham Jones signing?
He is a baller. Give this man room to represent.
I was that kind of player, and never had to look in mirror and apologize (well maybe not about soccer, but other things….well…..uh….. yeah…..)
The good news, we have every chance of going forward and winning this from 1-1. The bad news is, we have no reason to be tied 1-1
Benteke puts it in, 2-1!! Let’s hope Gil is out of spell slots
Gil, Harkes, and Boateng on. Even down to 9 men, there’s history and karma out there
Christian Benteke has already surpassed his 2022 scoring total.
When you create a ton of chances, and have a right fullback who can cross, Benteke gets a hattrick.
Goddamn, the replay impressive. Benteke fully outjumped the goalkeeper’s hands, and the goalkeeper is massive
Your MLS Golden Boot leader, Christian Benteke!
I think those two career hat tricks for DC put Benteke in a tie for the lead for most hat tricks for the Black and Red. I’d love if someone could check this for me.
It’s one more than Ben Olsen had.
That really would be extraordinary, but Arce or Moreno surely had a few, surely
I think Arce also had two. I’m pretty sure Charlie Davies had two (but I might be wrong there). Patrick Mullins had two. I think De Ro had two.
I wouldn’t know where to look for this, but Roy Lassiter was pretty prolific for a while.
Emilio?
Raul Diaz Arce, Patrick Mullins, Chris Pontius and DeRo each had two hat tricks while with DC. So yes, Benteke joins them on top but I suspect he has a great chance to be the first with three. Jaime, our leading scorer in history, only had one but you gotta remember that Jaime played with Diaz Arce, Lassiter and Alecko (not to mention, Marco and Gomito), he was never the sole focus of our offense and he never shied from passing if he needed too.
Thanks! Can’t believe I forgot Party Boy!
It’s early in the season, but this team is going to need to figure out how to slow the game down some when they have a lead. If nothing else, the pace it’s being played out is going to wear out bodies faster than our depth chart can keep up.
You have a point, and the wear and tear of the season is always a concern. However, I’m not sure if judging how we play in the home opener is indicative of the rest of the slog
Zach Prince is undefeated as DC United manager.
Long may he reign. Whoops, here comes Troy
This game was way closer than it should have been.
💯, but I’ll take “should have been a blow out” over the alternative every time
We had 5 xG. Not sure I remember the last time it was that high.
It might be never.
I’ll have more to say in the recap, but let me redirect to google claiming we had a 46% chance of winning, almost twenty points more than NE’s. As we didn’t even have a clue of the true formation or lineup, how the fuck did it know?! Reveal your secrets, digital Illuminati!!
They were probably accounting for the Revs having played midweek in Panama and all the travel.
Well, that would be a more nuanced system than I would have thought. Does Google get its odds from betting sites?
Dang, well, that felt great. Look forward to the recap talk
We are ahead of the Red Bulls in the standings.
Actually, in the East at this point, we’re at the top of the standings! We’re ahead of Miami in terms of GF. Sunday’s games could change that (if someone goes out and wins 5-0 or something). Let’s enjoy it while we can and dream big dreams!
Also there was a graphic right at the start of the game that in the overall series, United had won 35 games against the Revs, and New England had won 36. So we evened that up, but it also said that New England had won something like 9 out of the last 10 contests. So, however it came about, this was a good win.
I’m feeling not sad after watching that. It doesn’t seem normal for a DCU game.
Just remember we won our first home game in 2013, too.
So you’re saying we’re going to be Open Cup Champions?
I mean, maybe. If there’s only 8 MLS teams playing in it, it’s our best shot in years. And we know that we have a coach that can win in the Open Cup (since he beat us in his Red Bull debut). (Also New Mexico made a really good run while he was there.)
So you’re saying there’s a chance!
Could we get a recap post? Don’t care if it’s just a headline and ready, set, go
Well I missed the game, but the result indicates that we’re competing for the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield, so Vamos United!
Benteke is also going for the Golden Boot.
So, after saying that our system looked like it was going to be reliant on fullbacks serving in crosses to Benteke, we go out and Benteke scores a hat trick with all three assists coming from fullbacks.
I hope they can contribute more in the future, but I give Stroud, TKD, and to some extent Pirani for generating enough to leave the fullbacks open.
Comprehensively our best effort (maybe one or two exceptions) in 3-4 years. Loved it.
Loved the commitment to leaving all on the field, all in the moment.