Revolution 0, DC United 2: Playoff hopes are becoming dimmer for the Revs

The New England Revolution’s playoff hopes continue to fade, as they lost 2-0 to D.C. United on Sunday night.

Michael Mancienne almost scored an own goal on his debut, but Matt Turner made an outstretched save to keep the game at zeroes. D.C. caused trouble by sending in a cross in the 10th minute that was awkwardly hit towards the net by Mancienne. Even after Turner’s save, the ball continued to bounce around in the box until it was smothered by the Revs keeper.

D.C. gained the lead in the 13th minute after Luciano Acosta scored his fifth of the season. Paul Arriola earned the assist when he beat Brandon Bye 1v1 and sent in a low cross that was finished by Acosta.

D.C. continued to dominate the game by using smart passes to avoid the Revs’ press. The home team especially found success down their right side, often sending multiple men to overload Bye.

The half ended with D.C. leading in terms of shots on goal (three vs two), passing accuracy (84% vs 73%), and possession (66% vs 34%).

The Revs made some changes at halftime, replacing Juan Agudelo with Wilfred Zahibo and having Diego Fagundez play as a false nine. The second move almost paid dividends in the 55th minute when Fagundez hit the post after bringing down Scott Caldwell’s long ball.

Chances of a comeback lessened in the 73rd minute when Caldwell was shown a second yellow. His foul on Júnior Moreno reduced the Revs to 10 men for the remainder of the game.

D.C. had a chance to double their lead in the 86th minute when Wayne Rooney was sent in on goal. The Englishman, who had been bloodied by Antonio Delamea moments earlier, hit his shot over the crossbar.

D.C. made amends in the 87th minute via Zoltan Stieber. Moreno hit a nice ball over the top to earn the assist on Stieber’s goal.

The final whistle blew soon after this, giving D.C. full points and a better position in the hunt for a playoff spot.