FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - D.C. United surprised Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution with a comprehensive and dominating 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
United took a surprising lead in the 22nd minute after Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis fumbled a Clyde Simms shot and left the rebound for Josh Gros to finish. Luciano Emilio doubled the advantage in the 31st minute from Guy Roland-Kpene's defense-splitting feed before hitting for his second in the 76th minute off a one-two from a quick free kick.
The win pulled United into a tie for third place in the East, along with the New York Red Bulls just six points behind the Revolution.
It was all United deserved for their ability to break up New England's attack in midfield and create opportunities for Emilio on the break, but the Revolution will be disappointed not to have carried the momentum from Thursday's 2-0 victory against Kansas City.
There was other bad news for New England after Michael Parkhurst was withdrawn on 37 minutes with an apparent right knee injury. United also picked up an injury worry when second-half substitute Jaime Moreno was substituted for 28 minutes into his stint with apparent soreness in his lower back.
United left Christian Gomez (charley horse) and Jaime Moreno (hamstring) on the bench and handed a start to Clyde Simms in place of Brian Carroll.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol made only one change from Thursday's victory against Kansas City with Avery John dropped in favor of James Riley.
Nicol watched his side start well but drop their levels as United gradually came into the game after the first 15 minutes. Emilio headed towards goal after 19 minutes, but Reis was alert to tap the first significant chance over the bar.
But Reis was left to complain in disgust after his error gifted United the first goal in the 22nd minute. Simms curled his attempt to the far post and Reis got his body behind the ball at the first attempt. But still prone on the ground, he left the ball sitting for Gros to come through and poke it into the net. Reis voiced his disgust to referee Alex Prus, claiming play should have been stopped because he had one hand on the ball, but the goal stood.
Emilio added the second nine minutes later after a superb through pass from Kpene. Kpene's ball slipped past James Riley as Emilio had gained space off the Revolution's defender's shoulder, and the Brazilian slotted past Reis from the heart of the area to give United a two-goal cushion.
New England's terrible first half continued when Parkhurst limped off injured in the 37th minute after suffering an apparent right knee injury in a non-contact situation.
Taylor Twellman nearly scrambled one back for the home side on 40 minutes, but his header hit the right post from a Steve Ralston corner kick.
United 'keeper Troy Perkins had to dive towards the back post a minute prior to the interval after Jay Heaps headed down from a corner kick. Pat Noonan tried to side-foot it in at the far post, but Perkins blocked out the attempt for a corner kick.
Both teams made changes at the break. New England inserted Adam Cristman for Andy Dorman, while United withdrew Kpene for the recovering Moreno in an attempt to get him match fitness.
New England started well in the first 10 minutes of the half but United continue to disrupt momentum in midfield as the Revs attempt to claw back into the contest. Heaps tucked his header over the bar on 67 minutes from a Ralston free kick after Simms fouled Smith.
United sealed the three points in the 76th minute through the quick thinking of Emilio. After being fouled by Wells Thompson on the New England side of the halfway line, Emilio sprung to his feet and played a quick free kick to Olsen. Olsen fed his return pass past the flatfooted Revs defense onto Emilio's run. Emilio then raced into the area before sliding his effort under Reis for his second tally on the game, joining Eddie Johnson atop the league scoring charts with his 12th goal of the season.
Cristman nearly pulled one back a minute before full time after being played through by fellow substitute Wells Thompson, but his effort narrowly missed the far post.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
