DC United vs New England Revolution

Audi Field forms the backdrop for a must-win Major League Soccer clash between Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls DC United and New England Revolution.

DC United’s rough patch hit a new low last weekend as a 2-0 home defeat to New York Red Bulls consigned them to a fourth consecutive MLS game without scoring (D2, L2), with both losses in that sequence yielding the same scoreline. Head coach Troy Lesesne must stem the bleeding sooner rather than later, with DC already lagging seven points behind ninth-placed NYRB in the Eastern Conference standings. Audi Field may not be the best venue to inspire the hosts’ much-needed form resurgence, considering they’ve only won two of their eight home league outings this season (W2, D3, L3). A lack of firepower in the final third saw them score a dismal average of 0.87 goals per game, putting their misfiring frontline under scrutiny. 

Meanwhile, three consecutive MLS draws – two of which yielded an identical 3-3 scoreline – including a rollercoaster ride against Sporting Kansas City last time out, left New England two points adrift of playoff territory in the Eastern Conference pre-round. Another stalemate doesn’t look likely, considering none of New England’s last six MLS visits to DC United’s home ground have ended level (W4, L2). Interestingly, five of those six matches featured over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet, highlighting the potential for a high-scoring contest. Adding to this sentiment, New England’s last three competitive away games have produced 3+ goals, including back-to-back 3-3 draws at Kansas City and Orlando City.