The New England Revolution are now 0-10-3 in away games this season. They are nearing a one-year drought of wins outside of Gillette Stadium in the regular season after a 1-0 loss to D.C. United Sunday evening.
The Revolution, who were missing key attacking pieces such as Kelyn Row and Lee Nguyen to injury, just couldn’t get anything going.
Acosta looks to score early
In the 11th minute, United’s Patrick Mullins, a former Revolution player, controlled the ball in the midfield and made a pass to the outside left where Zoltan Steiber waited. Steiber sent a low cross across the face of goal. Kellyn Acosta narrowly missed poking it in from outside the six-yard box. The ball ended up out for a goal kick.
USMNT midfielder Paul Arriola forced a save
United’s Sean Franklin won a header and directed it to Paul Arriola’s feet. Arriola dribbled through Watson’s legs and tucked it away from defenders.Arriola was able to get open and drove a low-flying ball toward the goal forcing Cody Cropper to make a save and cover it after it rebounded off his chest in the 28th minute.
Former Revolution player looks to score (again) against the Revs
In the 38th minute, United’s Marcelo Sarvas stole a weak pass away from Diego Fagundez. Arriola collected the loose ball and touched the ball to Sarvas who was wide open about 25 yards out. Marcelo sent a cross into a Patrick Mullins who rose up to direct a header low to the left of Cropper. The goalkeeper made a last-minute save pushing the ball wide of the post.
Watson error leads to chance for Steiber
United goalkeeper Bill Hamid punted the ball downfield to Patrick Mullins. Mullins headed the ball on behind JeVaughn Watson, who clumsily misses clearing the ball. Watson’s error lead to Zoltan Steiber running free onto the loose ball. Watson made up for the miss and backtracked to challenge Steiber. Steiber made an attempt on goal where he curled a left-footed shot to the left of Cropper and Watson. Cropper stretched out to punch the ball to his right for a corner kick.
United Tries to Capitalize on Cropper Folly
In the 45th minute, Steiber took a free-kick from 30 yards out. Cody Cropper took the ball into his chest but did not catch the ball. The ball instead dropped to the feet of Sean Franklin right outside the six-yard box. Franklin was clearly caught off guard and booted the ball 10 yards off target.
Claude Dielna Looks To Get His First Revs Goal
In the 49th minute, Diego Fagundez took a short corner to Xavier Kouassi, who passed back to Diego. Fagundez without any great look for a pass returned the ball to Kouassi. Xavier turned and crossed to the back post to a new Revolution player Claude Dielna, who narrowly missed a header. The ball ended up out of bounds for a goal kick.
Watson takes on united himself
In the 61st minute, JeVaughn Watson took on the left side of the field. Watson started at the half-field line and dribbled in toward goal. He took on Arriola, Sarvas and Franklin. After he cut through Franklin and Arriola, Sarvas made a tackle which Watson simply chipped the ball over. Watson continued on through the tackle and promptly launced the ball off the bounce toward Bill Hamid. Hamid made the save look easy touching the ball out for a corner.
Revolution attack still stifled
Watson continued to be a problem for United and made space on the left-side flank. He crossed the ball into the far post to Teal Bunbury. Bunbury took down the ball with his chest and was able to take a shot. The shot was blocked and touched out the end line for a corner.
DC United string five passes for goal
This play for a goal started with Nick DeLeon, who made space for himself to pass to Acosta. Acosta found a wide open Lloyd Sam who was sitting 25 yards out from goal. Sam received the ball, meanwhile Acosta was making a run into the box. Sam chipped a pass into Kofi Opare’s head. Opare found Luciano wide open on the left side of the six-yard box. Acosta was able to slot a shot to the left side of Cropper and found the back of the net.
The rest
The rest of the game was littered with DC United chances. The Revolution didn’t get another great chance until three minutes into stoppage time. The shot was saved simply and ended the game. The Revolution were not the team they needed to be in this game. Individual efforts by Watson and Cropper are applauded.
Up next
The Revolution’s next game is on the road Saturday, Sept. 2 against Orlando City SC at 7 p.m. Orlando is in ninth place, one spot above the Revolution. All games from now on are must win and a victory next week would severely help the cause.
