Revolution edge out D.C. to earn three points

The New England Revolution resumed regular-season action when they traveled to the nation’s capital to face Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United. The outing ended in a 2-1 win for the Revs.

Richie Williams once again roamed the sidelines as he fills in for head coach Bruce Arena, who is on game two of a three-game suspension.

Although there were no personnel changes to the starting eleven, Williams moved Cristian Penilla to the inside with Gustavo Bou starting on the left.

Matt Turner started strong as Kevin Paredes took advantage of a mistake from Andrew Farrell. Turner put his awareness on display as the Revs keeper was able to prevent D.C. from scoring early.

Turner would shine again in the 8th minute as Ola Kamara’s through ball found Edison Flores but Julian Gressel was in an offside position.

D.C. United’s first substitution of the game came a lot sooner than they would have wanted as Frédéric Brillant came on for an injured Russell Canouse in the 19th minute.

The Revolution’s first chance came soon after as Penilla’s through ball found Bou. Bou’s chance would be called back because he was in an offside position.

Bou came close to giving the Revolution the lead in the 21st minute but his shot was deflected by D.C. United’s defense and easily grasped by Bill Hamid.

The weather became a factor for both sides as heavy rain started around the 23rd minute.

Kelyn Rowe and Bou would generate an amazing chance in the 25th minute. The two would share a series of passes which led to Bou whipping a shot from outside the box. Bill Hamid was able to tip the ball away from the net and out of bounds.

As the rain started to pour down on Audi Field, so did the Revolution’s offense.

Gustavo Bou’s positioning would allow him to dispossess Flores just outside the box and send a shot into the net and gave New England a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. The chance started with a Revs set piece.

Thunderstorms in the area halted the match in the 32nd minute and after a 46-minute delay, the match was able to continue.

Revolution veteran Teal Bunbury pushed the lead to two after heading Kelyn Rowe’s corner kick into the back of the net in the 37th minute.

Turner started the second half on a good note after a diving save prevented D.C. from equalizing.

D.C. would make their second and third substitution in the 58th minute as Ulises Segura came on for Edison Flores, and Yamil Asad came on for Joseph Mora.

The Revs’ first substitution came in the 66th minute as Scott Caldwell came on for Kelyn Rowe.

Turner again saved the Revs as he put a stop to Gressel’s shot in the 68th minute.

The official went to VAR in the 70th minute as he reviewed a possible handball in the box by Alexander Büttner. After review, officials awarded D.C. with the penalty kick.

Ola Kamara would be the one to take D.C. United’s penalty. He netted his first goal of the 2020 season as Matt Turner guessed the wrong direction.

The referee went to VAR again after Caldwell and Felipe collided. This time the official gave a red card to Caldwell.
Regardless, the Revs went on to collect the full three points.