MLS Regular Season | Match #7
New England Revolution at D.C. United
Tuesday, August 25 | 7 p.m. ET
Audi Field | Washington, D.C.
Watch: NBC Sports Boston
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (English), 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA (Portuguese)
Revolution Pregame Live presented by Dan O’Brien Automotive Group (6:15 p.m.)
- Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, revolutionsoccer.net
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
9th in Eastern Conference (1-1-4, 7 pts.)
Last Result | 0-0 draw vs. Philadelphia Union
New England resumed regular-season play last Thursday night in much the same fashion they’d left the MLS is Back Tournament in late July – solid defensively, but unable to find their finishing touch in a 0-0 home draw with Philadelphia. Matt Turner made five saves to record his third clean sheet in the last four league games, but the Revs mustered just one shot on target as they were shut out for the third straight time in all competitions.
Now they’ll head to The District for their first official road game since the season opener in late February, and they’ll square off against a D.C. United side they played to a 1-1 draw at the MLS is Back Tournament a little more than five weeks ago.
D.C. United
10th in Eastern Conference (1-2-3, 6 pts.)
Last Result | 0-0 draw vs. FC Cincinnati
Like the Revs, D.C. resumed regular-season play with a 0-0 draw, picking up a point on their trip to FC Cincinnati last Friday night. The result stretched United’s winless run to four games (0-1-3) after they finished bottom of Group C at the MLS is Back Tournament.
Ben Olsen’s side has largely mirrored the Revolution in recent matches, as D.C. has conceded just two goals in their last three games, while managing to score just once themselves in that same stretch.
KEY PLAYERS
Adam Buksa
New England’s newest DP signing has powered through a stop-start introduction to life in MLS, scoring two goals in his first six league appearances – including the Revolution’s only goal in their 1-1 draw with D.C. on July 17.
The 24-year-old forward came closest to breaking the deadlock last Thursday night against Philadelphia when he hit the post in the 13th minute. According to Opta, Buksa ranks tied for seventh in MLS with four big chances on the season, and it’s encouraging that he’s getting himself into quality scoring positions on a consistent basis.
Steve Birnbaum
One of the players who’ll likely be tasked with trying to limit Buksa on Tuesday night is Steve Birnbaum, D.C.’s stalwart center back and one of just two United players (along with midfielder Russell Canouse) to play every minute of the first six games.
Birnbaum is also a threat going forward on set pieces, and that’s where D.C. have been most dangerous this season, scoring four of their six goals from dead-ball situations.
STATUS REPORT
Revolution
Carles Gil’s absence once again saw Gustavo Bou shift into a more central role against Philadelphia, with Teal Bunbury starting on the right wing. Gil will be sidelined for 3-5 months as he recovers from surgery to debride his left Achilles tendon.
There are attacking reinforcements on the way in the form of Kekuta Manneh and Tommy McNamara, although neither are expected to be available on Tuesday night as they near the end of the mandatory 10-day quarantine period for players arriving in new markets.
D.C. United
According to Washington Post reporter Steven Goff, D.C. head coach Ben Olsen said over the weekend that defenders Oniel Fisher and Chris Odoi-Atsem are both day-to-day with undisclosed injuries. Olsen also said that midfielder Edison Flores, an offseason DP signing, is approximately 60 minutes fit ahead of Tuesday.
Paul Arriola also remains sidelined after suffering a torn ACL in preseason.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena
“This whole year is just going to be a very unpredictable exercise, in my opinion. I think it’s going to be these first two weeks getting back in the regular season is going to be challenging for everyone. We’re not going to be able to predict how we deal with the travel, three games in a week – all those kinds of things. It’s going to be a very challenging year.”
New England Revolution forward Teal Bunbury
“One of the biggest things is knowing that we can do it. I think putting the work in training – we’re really picking it up and working on our finishing, and we know once that first one goes in, that more will come and more will follow. I think we have to just continue to stay on top of each other and demand the best from one another, and continue creating those chances. The goals are only going to come when we’re being put in those good positions to finish chances off. So just being ready in those little moments, being mentally aware, and just being focused.”
