D.C. UNITED vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
October 28, 2015 (2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Knockout Round)
7:30 p.m. ET (UniMás in US, TSN2 in Canada, CSN-NE)
The 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs kick off with a meeting of MLS Originals, as D.C. United play host to the New England Revolution on Wednesday evening at RFK Stadium. United come into the match off the heaviest defeat in club history -- a 5-0 loss at Columbus Crew SC -- on the season's final day, which dropped them into fourth place. The Revolution left it late, finally clinching their postseason berth on the final day in a 3-1 win at New York City FC. It's the fourth meeting all-time in the playoffs between the MLS Original clubs, United having advanced in the first two before the Revolution won the Eastern Conference Championship in the last meeting in 2006.
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REFEREE: Mark Geiger. AR1 (bench): Sean Hurd; AR2 (opposite): Joe Fletcher; 4th: Chris Penso
SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS: none
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: DC 30 wins (4 SO), 95 goals … NE 26 wins (3 SO), 84 goals … Ties 10 2015 HEAD-TO-HEAD: DC 1 win, 3 goals … NE 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 1
AT RFK STADIUM: 6/21: DC 2, NE 1 (Rolfe 70, 81 -- Davies 10)
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: DC 3 wins, 8 GF … NE 1 win, 6 GF … Ties 0.
- After pacing the Supporters’ Shield race for the majority of the season, D.C. United struggled down the stretch but still managed to win two of their last three. Despite a challenging conclusion to the regular season, United boast one of Major League Soccer’s most formidable defenses and rank third in home wins (11).
- That will be key against a visiting New England side that can attack from anywhere: up top with Charlie Davies, Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe in the midfield and Chris Tierney flying up the flank.
- Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen is the architect of New England’s attack, and when he’s firing on all cylinders, he opens space for Charlie Davies (last postseason’s leading goalscorer), Juan Agudelo, and Kelyn Rowe to get shots on goal. Although Nguyen’s goals total dipped from his MVP-caliber 2014 campaign, he posted a career-high 10 assists this season.
- Nguyen and Davies cannot waste any opportunities against a D.C. United team that allowed the third fewest goals in MLS (45) thanks to another outstanding season from goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
Related Content:
Armchair Analyst: Tactical preview of DC vs. New England in Wednesday's Knockout Round
ExtraTime Radio: Can the Revs Nguyen the Cup?
How will DC approach playoffs? "Show up tomorrow, do the business"
CHECK OUT THE INJURY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
CHECK OUT THE DISCIPLINARY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
