One game in 100 words: The result was not surprising considering D.C. United’s recent trend of coming-from-behind, this victory being their third comeback win in four home games. For Revs fans, you’re reminded that one mishap can completely adjust the circuit of a match as this one seemed headed for a draw until a penalty kick altered the scoreline. New England were not outplayed for the majority of the contest, and at points, United looked very subpar. Finishing on the road continues to plague the Revolution, still positioned at second place in the Eastern Conference behind today’s opponent. The Black-and-Reds are sitting nicely at the top of the East.
Goals
DC: Chris Rolfe 70', 81'
New England: Charlie Davies 10'
Three moments that mattered
10’ —Davies gives Revs early advantage — Teal Bunbury had great vision and touch on his side-heel pass to put Lee Nguyen through on the right side, and the former PSV midfielder did well to skipped a pass across the box for Charlie Davies, making a run straight to the net. The ex-D.C. United man then tucked a wonderful toe poke inside the post.
70’ — Rolfe hits first on volley -- Nick DeLeon threaded a ball to offer Fabian Espindola some room on the wing, and he consequently delivered a cross that barely soared over the head of Revolution defender Kevin Alston. Rolfe was on the other end of it, and hit a volley from just outside the six-yard box where goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth had no chance of stopping it. The game was tied and momentum had shifted.
81’ — Rolfe converts game-winning PK — Miguel Aguilar wasn’t presenting a massive threat by any means when he danced inches inside the box, but Steve Neumann, who tackled him and caused a penalty kick, might have thought the United man was outside of the penalty area. Chris Rolfe sent Shuttleworth in the opposite direction and pushed the PK into the lower corner. It was a classic example of D.C. making the best of late opportunities.
Lineups
DC: Fabian Espindola, Chris Rolfe (Markus Halsti 83'); Bill Hamid; Chris Korb, Bobby Boswell, Steve Birnbaum, Taylor Kemp; Nick DeLeon, Davy Arnaud (Luis Silva 88'), Perry Kitchen, Conor Doyle (Miguel Aguilar 52')
New England: Charlie Davies; Bobby Shuttleworth; London Woodberry (Kevin Alston 59'), Andrew Farrell, Jose Goncalves, Chris Tierney; Andy Dorman (Steve Neumann 69'), Scott Caldwell, Teal Bunbury (Diego Fagundez 78'), Lee Nguyen, Juan Agudelo