FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (July 15, 2023) – The New England Revolution (12-4-7; 43 pts.) maintained their undefeated home record by dispatching D.C. United (8-10-6; 30 pts.), 4-0, on Saturday night in front of 29,884 at Gillette Stadium. Midfielder Ian Harkes, making his second Revolution start, notched his first career multi-goal game while Carles Gil registered his second multi-assist game of the season. Gustavo Bou opened the scoring with his fifth of the year, before an own goal by D.C. capped the scoring. New England earned its seventh shutout of the season behind a four-save effort from goalkeeper Djordje Petrović.

The Revolution opened the scoring in the 45th minute, when Gustavo Bou got on the end of a Carles Gil cross, sending a glancing header past D.C. United goalkeeper Tyler Miller. Bou is now tied with Steve Ralston for fifth on the club’s all-time scoring list with 42 tallies in regular season play. The Argentine striker finished the night with seven shots, including five in the first first-half shots for a second straight match.

New England struck again just before the half as Harkes notched his first of two goals on the night, chipping Miller to double the Revolution lead after Bobby Wood forced a turnover in the midfield and played Harkes in on goal. Harkes, signed by New England earlier in July after four seasons with Dundee United in Scotland, struck again early in the second half, tucking a Carles Gil pass off the bottom of the crossbar to complete his brace. An own goal by D.C. United’s Brendan Hines-Ike in the 73rd minute finished off the scoring for New England. 

Gil notched his second multi-assist game of 2023 and now leads the league with 12 helpers on the year. The Spaniard becomes the second Revolution player in club history with 60 assists in regular season play and 70 assists across all competitions. Gil, along with Petrović, will depart for Washington, D.C. to join the 2023 MLS All-Star Team ahead of Wednesday night’s showcase match against Arsenal FC (7:30 p.m. ET – MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

After Matchday 26, New England and all MLS clubs will pause the regular season for five weeks to begin the highly anticipated Leagues Cup 2023 tournament. New England will open tournament play with a Group Stage matchup at the New York Red Bulls on July 22, followed by a home match against LIGA MX side Atletico de San Luis on July 26 at Gillette Stadium. Both matches are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Watch every Leagues Cup match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

TEAM NOTES

• The Revolution remain undefeated at Gillette Stadium this season (9-0-3), the team’s best home start to a season in club history. The Revolution remain one of two MLS teams without a loss at home, along with FC Cincinnati. 
• New England extended its home-unbeaten streak to 13 matches (10-0-3) dating back to last October, now the second-longest run in club history, surpassing the previous mark set in 2004-05.
• New England have won 9 of the last 10 games vs. D.C. United and are now 8-0-5 in their last 12 home matches vs. D.C. United. The Revolution now lead the all-time series (36-35-15).
• The Revolution are unbeaten in 17 straight matches when leading at halftime (15-0-2). 
• New England’s plus-14 goal differential after Saturday’s victory is tied for the best in the Eastern Conference and second-best leaguewide. 
• The Revolution’s 42 goals on the season are tied for third-most in MLS at the conclusion of Saturday’s contest (games still in action). 

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Ian Harkes notched his first career brace as a professional in his third New England appearance and second start since signing with the club on July 5.
• Djordje Petrović earned his seventh clean sheet of the year, matching his 2022 total, with a four-save effort.
• Bobby Wood tallied his fifth assist of the season on Harkes’ first goal, placing him tied for third among MLS forward in assists this season.
• Carles Gil recorded assists on Bou’s opening goal and Harkes’ second tally, marking his second multi-assist game of the season. The Revolution caption became the second player in club history to reach 60 regular season assists and 70 helpers across all competitions.
• Gil also had team highs in possessions won (8) and chances created (5). Gil’s 62 chances created on the season is tied for second in MLS as of the game’s conclusion. 
• Gustavo Bou now owns five goals and two assists in nine career appearances against D.C. United after tallying the game-winner on Saturday. Bou led the team with seven shots, putting three on target. 
• Bou is now tied with Steve Ralston for fifth on club’s all-time scoring list (42). 
• Bou’s 16 game-winning goals for New England matches Diego Fagundez and Teal Bunbury for third in club annals.
• Joshua Bolma entered the match in the 64th minute to mark his MLS debut, recording one shot and completing 95.7 percent of his passes in 26 minutes.
• Ryan Spaulding made his third start and fourth appearance since returning from loan, winning all seven of his duels on the night – a team high.

GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 4, D.C. United 0
July 15, 2023 –Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Lyes Arfa (AR1), Kevin Klinger (AR2)
Fourth Official: Marcos DeOliveira
Video Assistant Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Eric Weisbrod
Weather: 77 and Cloudy
Attendance: 29,884

Scoring Summary: 
NE – Gustavo Bou 5 (Carles Gil 10) 45’
NE – Ian Harkes 1 (Bobby Wood 5) 45+6’
NE – Ian Harkes 2 (Carles Gil 11) 49’
NE – Brendan Hines-Ike (Own Goal) 73’

Misconduct Summary: 
NE – Bobby Wood (Yellow Card – Hard Foul) 33’
DC – Mateusz Klich (Yellow Card – Hard Foul)  61’
DC – Mateusz Klich (Red Card – Tactical Foul) 90+1’

New England Revolution: Djordje Petrović; Ryan Spaulding (Ben Sweat 87’), Dave Romney, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye; Matt Polster (Joshua Bolma 64’); Ian Harkes (Jack Panayotou 90+2’), Emmanuel Boateng (Justin Rennicks 71’); Carles Gil ©; Bobby Wood (Esmir Bajraktarević 87’), Gustavo Bou (Damian Rivera 87’).

Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Noel Buck, Omar Gonzalez.

D.C. United: Tyler Miller; Derrick Williams, Steven Birnbaum © (Brendan Hines-Ike 17’),Victor Pálsson; Andy Najar (Ruan 53’), Lewis , Russell Canouse (Cristian Dájome 64’), Yamil; Asad (Nigel Robertha 46’); Mateusz Klich; Taxiarchis Fountas, Christian Benteke

Substitutes Not Used: Alex Bono, Chris Durkin, Kristian Fletcher, Erik Hurtado, Gaoussou Samake

Full statistics available HERE.