MLS Regular Season | Match #23
New England Revolution vs. D.C. United
Saturday, July 15 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
English Talent: Mark Followill (Play-by-Play), Charlie Davies (Analyst)
Spanish Talent: Jaime Macias (Play-by-Play), Moises Linares (Analyst)
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (English); 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
Radio Talent: Brad Feldman (Play-by-Play), Clyde Simms (Analyst)
- Call also available to sync on MLS Season Pass
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CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
2nd in Eastern Conference (11-4-7, 40 pts.)
Last Result | 2-1 win vs. Atlanta United
New England head into this weekend’s clash having extended their unbeaten streak at Gillette Stadium to 12 matches with Wednesday night’s 2-1 triumph over Atlanta United, earning an impressive 8-0-3 mark at home in 2023. Two goals inside the opening nine minutes from Matt Polster and Giacomo Vrioni saw Bruce Arena’s men race into a commanding lead, and Djordje Petrović produced an excellent display with a career-high 10 saves to thwart the Five Stripes, before Machop Chol netted an injury-time consolation for the visitors. The Revolution stand as one of only two sides to remain undefeated on their own turf so far this term (along with Supporters’ Shield leaders FC Cincinnati), and would ensure the current run will stand alone as the second-longest home unbeaten streak in club history by avoiding defeat to D.C. United on Saturday night.
D.C. United
8th in Eastern Conference (8-9-6, 30 pts.)
Last Result | 2-2 draw vs. Inter Miami
D.C. United travel to Foxborough on the back of a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami last weekend, as Wayne Rooney’s side twice fought back from a goal down to earn a point, thanks to goals from Taxiarchis Fountas and Nigel Robertha. The Black-and-Red sit four points above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference, and are unbeaten in three of their last four games, clinching a notable 3-0 triumph over Cincinnati earlier this month. With four wins on the road, they boast the joint-best Eastern Conference tally in 2023, and will hope to take advantage of fresh legs against New England, having gone seven days without a game, while the Revs were in action in midweek.
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
This encounter marks the second meeting of the 2023 campaign, and the 96th in total with the series evenly matched at 39-40-16 overall. March’s trip to Audi Field saw New England claim a late 2-1 comeback win, battling back in the second half with goals from Gustavo Bou and Noel Buck after Christian Benteke had broken the deadlock on the brink of halftime. The Revs have recorded four straight home wins against D.C. and are unbeaten at Gillette Stadium against the Black-and-Red for more than a decade, tallying 8-0-5 in 13 fixtures since the last defeat in 2012. In the last nine meetings, the Revolution have triumphed in eight.
Overall Record vs. D.C. United: 39-40-16
Home Record vs. D.C. United: 24-11-9
Last meeting at Gillette Stadium: Revs 1, D.C. United 0 (August 13, 2022)
Last meeting at Audi Field: Revs 2, D.C. United 1 (March 25, 2023)
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution midfielder Ian Harkes
Following in his father’s footsteps as the Revs’ first ‘second generation’ player, Harkes has slotted into the roster nicely with two appearances already to his name (including his first start) since joining the club at the start of this month. Bolstering the midfield, he impressed with a cameo display at the New York Red Bulls before stepping out at Gillette Stadium for the first time in midweek, earning plenty of plaudits for a composed display. Technically gifted, his passing range has been a notable strength with the 28-year-old completing 90% of his passes so far (45/50) – registering 36 of 38 successful plays against Atlanta. The former D.C. United man will look to shine against his former club, as he continues to build his fitness and familiarize himself with his new teammates and the Revs’ playing style in the coming weeks.
D.C. United forward Christian Benteke
Hailed “arguably the best striker in the league” by Revolution sporting director and head coach Arena, Benteke will certainly be one for the Revs to keep an eye on. On the scoresheet in March’s meeting at Audi Field, the former Premier League striker (deemed a ‘handful’ by Arena in his post-match press conference) leads D.C.’s goalscoring charts with eight goals and three assists in his 21 appearances this season. The 2023 MLS All-Star has combined well with strike partner Taxiarchis Fountas – the pair netting 14 goals between them. Greek forward Fountas proved a thorn in the Revs’ side when D.C. edged a five-goal thriller in April last year, notching two goals and an assist. With two goals in his last two games – and six strikes to his name this year – he enters Gillette Stadium in fine form.
STATUS REPORT
New England Revolution
New England could welcome back defender DeJuan Jones, following his return from international duty. The left back had missed four Revs games, having been away representing the United States Men’s National Team at the Concacaf Gold Cup.
This week, the Revolution captured two new signings in midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye and forward Tomás Chancalay, though Arena confirmed Kaye is not yet available to feature, while Chancalay is awaiting international clearance. There was further cause for celebration with the news that Noel Buck, Nacho Gil, and Tommy McNamara have returned to training, and Arena revealed the trio could be available for selection next month. Meanwhile, Christian Makoun has been sidelined for the last five games through injury, and Dylan Borrero (ACL), Henry Kessler (hamstring) and Maciel (Achilles) remain longer-term absentees.
D.C. United
The Black-and-Red will be without defender Donovan Pines, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Pedro Santos missed the draw with Miami due to a thigh injury, while Ted Ku-DiPietro (ankle) and Jacob Greene (hip) have not featured since early June. Martin Rodriguez (knee) and Mohanad Jeahze (leg) remain sidelined.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
New England Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena on D.C. United:
“They have a good team. I think their form as of late has been good. They have arguably the best striker in the league in Benteke. His partner there Fountas has been good, and they have 14 goals among each other. They have an experienced backline, a solid midfield, and the one thing that stands out to me is that it's a very experienced team, so they'll be a handful tomorrow.”
On the health of the Revolution squad:
“Mark-Anthony Kaye is not available for the game, but DeJuan Jones is back in town, so we'll see how he's done today (Friday) and make a decision accordingly. The opportunity to get Mark-Anthony Kaye is an addition that will help our team. He leads the league in tackles, which is an area we can be better at in the middle third of the field, so I think that's a positive. He's a veteran player, a good passer of the ball, so he offers some qualities that I think will strengthen our midfield.
“It’s good [to have Noel Buck and Nacho Gil in training]. Tommy McNamara is back as well, so we're getting our team a little healthier. I think when we return to league play in August, we'll be close to full strength – obviously, we won't have [Dylan] Borrero and [Henry] Kessler yet at that point, but I think we're getting there.”
New England Revolution defender Brandon Bye on facing Christian Benteke and Taxiarchis Fountas:
“We’re looking forward to it, for sure. It's a tough week but we prepare for these things. With Benteke, Fountas, they have quite a few good attacking pieces. It’s a group effort – it's understanding what they are, what they play like and figuring them out through film a little bit, and then at the end of the day, just competing and understanding who they are and their tendencies.”
On the Revs’ season so far:
“I think we've been solid. There are definitely opportunities that we could have been better, and that we'll try to improve on in the second half of the season, but overall I think we're in a good spot. Obviously continuing and ending this MLS stretch here with a win this weekend will help us keep a smile on our face.”
On the team’s unbeaten record at Gillette Stadium:
“It means a lot. Coming in and making it tough to play in Gillette – we have fans come out every game and the environment is great – and to continue to be tough, and jump on teams right from the start, as we did on Wednesday, is very important – and [for teams] to know they’re going to be in a fight for 90 minutes.”
