New England Revolution vs. D.C. United: Preview, time, and how to watch
A stunning 4-3 D.C. United win in Nashville has given life to the Black-and-Red faithful as the playoffs quickly approach.
With a job well done in Nashville, D.C. immediately turned focus to the Saturday matchup with New England Revolution. Three points on the road will push the Black-and-Red over the playoff line. Currently, they are tied for points in the Eastern Conference with Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC.
While this has been a rocky season for the Black-and-Red, Troy Lesesne’s perseverance and leadership have paid off. His squad is downright tenacious in this final stretch of the season, but Lesesne said, “We know we have more work to do.”
The Revs may sit in 14th place, but they hold a 23-10-9 record against D.C. United in Foxborough and have remained unbeaten by the Black-and-Red in their last 13 home matches dating back to 2012. D.C. United will need to snap the Foxborough curse to bag three critical points.
As for Caleb Porter’s side, they are only six points behind D.C. with a game in hand. A home win would give the Revs the edge they need to vy for a playoff spot.
Hear everything head coach Troy Lesesne had to say in the pre-game press conference here.
Let us know your thoughts about tonight’s match in the comments below and be sure to join us live here during the game to chat with your fellow supporters.
Key Player: Gabriel Pirani and, of course, Christian Benteke
When it mattered this past Wednesday, Pirani delivered. His stoppage-time brace resulted in D.C. United claiming all three points on the road in Nashville. For Pirani, it’s been a long time coming. Early in the season, we’ve seen glimmers of potential from Pirani, but nothing like the blistering impact he made in Nashville. As for Christian Benteke, well, he’s been the heart and soul of the 2024 season. Benteke continues to step up for D.C. United, contributing to Wednesday’s win alongside Pirani and Lucas Bartlett. The striker leads the Golden Boot race with 22 goals so far this season.
Watch Out For: Luca Langoni
Joining the Revs this past summer on a club record-breaking transfer fee, Langoni has infused New England’s attack with fresh energy. The Argentine debuted with a goal and an assist and has continued to make an impact ever since.
Challenges: Both D.C. and the Revs are bent on snagging all three points to propel them into playoff contention. We can expect a match where both sides leave it all on the pitch.
Previously: D.C. United and New England Revolution last met in February at Audi Field where the Black-and-Red dealt the Revs a 3-1 defeat. All-time, the sides are tied with a record of 36-36-15.
New England Revolution Availability:
Out: Tomás Chancalay (Knee)
Questionable: Will Sands (Foot)
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Matai Akinmboni (Ankle), Conner Antley (Knee), Jackson Hopkins (Ankle)
Disciplinary: Christopher McVey
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Watch party: 7:30 pm at Mission Navy Yard, 1221 Van St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Thanks, Sarah. I’ll be watching though I tend not to post while the match is in progress on my IPhone on MLS APPLE.
We need to win tonight but without McVey I think our defense is too porous.
Interesting lineup. We’re definitely playing a back four this time with Peltola and Santos as LCB and LB, respectively. Pirani gets the start, as does Stroud and TKD, with Klich and Rodriguez holding, so I’m curious about the shape. Maybe a 4-2-3-1?
Schnegg makes the bench, and I bet we’re gonna need him
Lineup says 5-4-1 with a diamond midfield. Lesesne might be fucking with us, but we’ll see. I’m inclined not to believe Herrera will be a RCB in a back three, but here we go
Early on, seems more like a 4-2-3-1 in possession
Whatever happens, just don’t let Carles Gil get the ball 20 yards from goal with no one near him.
Santos… wtf… in the third minute, we’re up with a lashed strike into the 90
1-0 DC
DEAR LORD, PEDRO SANTOS! Absolute rocket!!
Definitely looked more like a Messi goal from a 2017 video game, but I’ll take it!
Benteke gets maybe the funniest headed goal of his career
2-0 DC
Certainly one of his easiest finishes.
It’s still possible to miss that, I think his skill showed there, but man, that was comical defending
Who are we… Ted very nearly makes it 3. And we’re now past 10 minutes. Wow
Man, I bet the fans filing in are considering pulling a Grandpa Simpson seeing Bart at the Burlesque house
Carles Gil will never get a more Carles Gil chance to hurt us. Thanks for missing
Going back to Benteke’s header, I’m campaigning to call it the “Are you gonna eat that?” goal
Can we not let Boatang be that wide open on a corner? Thankfully Herrera closed him down and blocked the shot.
At least Schnegg is back on the bench.
If he’s good to come in for about thirty tonight, could be huge
Goff made it sound like he’s probably not ready for more than a couple of minutes. Let’s not rush him.
I’m not suggesting we push him. If it’s a few minutes, might as well hold him for the rest period before the 19th
Knock on wood, the reffing has been reasonable thus far
Clear offside
Thank goodness for a clear offside, that would have been the most bullshit way to give the revs hope
Great half. Gave NE a few half chances that DC can’t afford. Be disciplined and please see this out!
Peltola let them in for a good bite, but we lucked out on that play
Dajome in for Ted, who really doesn’t have a lot of minutes in him, which, at his age, is really worrying for his future
Another bad play by Peltola to let NE in.
NE has come out of the half with more intensity than we have.
Pirani pulled down for a yellow to Lagoni.
Also if a anyone is interested, Loudoun is up 2-0 on Hartford late.
Enow on for Rodriguez. If he can replicate his last two performances, we have a good shot to make it out of here with the right result. Knock on wood
Revs with a triple change and likely a change to a back 3.
Porter making big changes, and I hope Lesesne is smart enough to make sure he can adapt to the new setup with his own subs. I know we have limited options, but it’s up to him to make sure we get out of here with this result
New England with the high press in the new formation.
Stroud and Pirani off for Murrell and Badji.
Murrell and Badji in for Pirani and Stroud. Die is cast
Carles Gil looking like he’s in trouble. Soccer gods, are you flirting with me??
Klich leading DC with 3 chances created on the night.
That was a really good pass inside for Benteke, unfortunately he’s not a quick fire forward
Benteke had 2 or 3 options and picked the worst one.
Ian Harkes coming on for Carlos Gil after he comes up grabbing at his right leg.
Why the hell is DC pressing into NE’s box? Stay compact and organized.
Enow with a rocket from range that goes off the crossbar.
Enow almost dials in his first goal ever with a blast from well outside, too bad
Santos gets an unneeded yellow….
Yep
Do we have any subs left to bring Schnegg on for Santos?
Dajome, Enow, Murrell, Badji… think we have one more. Dajome was a sub at the half
Fuck Peltola with an own goal…
Harkes puts in a cross, Peltola own goals. Worm might be turning
If Bono needs a sub, we might be so fucking screwed
Of course we give them a goal to make things exciting.
Bartlett and Nacho Gil pick up yellows.
Bono down…for an extended period grabbing at his right leg.
Why am I thinking we’ve seen this story before this season?
Dajome has been really bad defensively since coming on
Revs smell blood in the water.
Tubbs for Klich is the last sub.
Tubbs on for Klich. Santos will go to the end with a yellow. Hooboy
I’m not watching but it seems DC has scored 3 goals in a road game?
We HAVE to come out of this w 3 points, don’t we?
Vamos!!
We’re up 2-1….Peltola got an own goal on a cross from Ian Harkes.
Think he’s making a funny
Murrell with some good hold up play
Holy crap 8 mins of stoppage? How? From what?
Que pasa, MLS pro?