3 things to know before the Revolution face DC United

The New England Revolution will travel to RFK Stadium for a Saturday night game against D.C. United. Here's what you need to know before the 5:30 pm kickoff:

1. D.C. United is still figuring things out. A 1-3-3 start is hardly ideal for a team that has lifted four MLS Cups (though none recently). The Black and Red have been underwhelming so far, proving to be almost as ineffective at home (1-2-1) as they have been on the road (0-1-2). That said, the individual talent on the roster has shined through at certain points, so it's just a matter of putting it all together at once. D.C. was able to do that against the Vancouver Whitecaps when old friends Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio scored twice to give the home team their first win of the season. With a roster that includes veterans like Patrick Nyarko, Chris Rolfe, and Lamar Neagle, it's inadvisable to look past United.
2. Ben Olsen will be forced to watch from the stands. The MLS Disciplinary Committee has handed Olsen a one-game suspension for walking onto the field last weekend to recover a stray ball. The punishment, which also came with a $500 fine according to Steve Goff of The Washington Post, puts assistant coach Chad Ashton at the helm. Ashton has been with D.C. since 2007, serving largely as an assistant coach, excluding a brief stint as Technical Director in 2010. Prior to making the leap to MLS, Ashton was the head coach of men's soccer at the University of Denver. He's the most winning coach in school history, compiling a record of 85-85-14. Will United miss their fiery coach? Time will tell.
3. Saturday is throwback night at RFK Stadium. D.C United will celebrate their 20th anniversary against one of their most storied rivals. As part of the commemoration, club legend Mark Simpson is scheduled to appear, as is the Washington Redskins Marching Band. There will also be a throwback matchday program, as well as music selections from 1996. In sum, D.C. United has amassed a record of 30-26-11 against the Revs. D.C. has also collectively outscored the Revs by a margin of 95-to-84.