Perhaps this wasn’t the irresistible version of the Revolution that gave us 10 goals over games against Seattle and Philadelphia, but that doesn’t mean Saturday’s couldn’t be a winning performance. With a late goal from Diego Fagundez building on Patrick Mullins’ opener, Jay Heaps’ team won its fifth in a row - a 2-1 win over visiting D.C. United that moved New England five clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Revolution took the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Mullins beat Bill Hamid to a ball to the left of goal, finishing into a vacated net to make it 1-0. In the 73rd minute, a deflected cross from D.C.'s left found substitute Fabian Espindola near the spot, allowing United’s leading scorer to finish his sixth of the season. Four minutes later, however, play down New England’s right eventually found Fagundez alone in the left of the penalty area, allowing the 19-year-old to deliver full points for the Revolution.
Unfortunately for D.C., who again showed a remarkable ability to play with anybody (considering how far this team’s had to come), the team lost more than the game. A late incident where Eddie Johnson kicked out at substitute Kelyn Rowe saw the United forward earn a straight red card, one that will likely incur a two-game suspension for violent conduct. After serving a one-game ban on Wednesday against Houston, Johnson will miss his team’s upcoming games against Sporting Kansas City and Columbus - home games where he could have potentially been the difference against quality opposition.
Particularly with Mullins scoring the opener, it’s difficult to avoid asking if United’s getting return on their investment in the former Sounder. Mullins was linked with D.C. United with the number one pick in the draft, a forecast that looked off base when the University of Maryland star fell to New England at number 11. Be it via the draft or by finding another Espindola, it’s become too easy to imagine the other, cheaper ways D.C. could replicate Johnson’s production.
With four goals in five games, Mullins has quadrupled Johnson’s output, and while that may even out as the season goes on, the former Terrapin has become a big part of New England’s newfound success. Eddie Johnson, on the other hand will have to wait until June 12 (at least) before he returns to the United lineup.