New England Revolution vs. DC United | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 18
Gillette Stadium — Foxborough
June 30 - 7:30 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Back from an extended World Cup break, the New England Revolution will try to extend their unbeaten streak to six consecutive games, while D.C. United will look to rebound from a U.S. Open Cup ouster on penalty kicks to Orlando City SC.

D.C. United are unbeaten in their last eight games against the Revolution (5W-3D inc. playoffs). They are conceding an average of 0.6 goals per game in that time.

New England Revolution

When we last saw New England (6-4-6), the Revs squandered a halftime lead to settle for a 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. Diego Fagundez and Cristian Penilla scored 12 minutes apart for the Revs, but Danny Hoesen struck for his second goal of the game in the 51st minute

It was the Revs' fourth draw in their last five games without defeat. Speaking of four, that’s how many consecutive days Brad Friedel gave his guys off.

“I think the break [came] at a perfect time for us,” Friedel said. “We were able to just sit back and watch a little bit of the World Cup, and watch some MLS games as we had a bye week. But in between all that we’ve been working extremely hard getting ready for D.C.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: M - Luis Caicedo
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M - Isaac Angking (illness), D - Chris Tierney (torn right ACL)

Projected Starting XI
(4-4-2, right to left)
GK: Matt Turner — Andrew Farrell, Antonio Delamea, Jalil Anibaba, Gabriel Somi — Krisztian Nemeth, Kelyn Rowe, Luis Caicedo, Cristian Penilla — Teal Bunbury, Diego Fagundez

Notes: Fagundez already has three games with 6+ chances created in MLS play. Only one Revolution player since 2010 has had more in a single season (Lee Nguyen – four in 2016). … New England have drawn four of their last five MLS matches (1W). They are averaging 1.8 goals per game in that time, the fifth most in MLS.

D.C. United

Like New England, D.C. United (2-6-4) haven’t played a league match since a 4-4 draw at Toronto FC, but they did suffer a difficult USOC Round of 16 loss to Orlando City SC at Maryland SoccerPlex.

Luciano Acosta put the hosts in front on 10 minutes, but Justin Meram leveled seven minutes later for the Lions, who advanced 4-2 in a shootout.

“I think we’re a good team, I think we’re an exciting team, we’re dynamic, we can score goals,” Ben Olsen said. “We’re having a little bit of trouble winning games in those experienced moments that really get you all the points. I like this team, I like watching this team. I think we’re an exciting group, we’re young, they’re fearless and with an addition or two I think we can make a real run at the playoffs.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Taylor Kemp (labrum surgery), M - Russell Canouse (knee injury), D - Chris Odoi-Atsem (calf injury), M - Ulises Segura (knee injury), D - Nick DeLeon (knee injury), D - Kofi Opare (ankle injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-1-4-1, right to left)
GK: David Ousted — Oniel Fisher, Frederic Brillant, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora — Chris Durkin — Zoltan Stieber, Paul Arriola, Luciano Acosta, Yamil Asad — Darren Mattocks

Notes: Ben Olsen is 8W-5L-4D in league play against the Revolution, his most wins against any MLS opponent. His 1.7 points per game average against New England is also his fifth highest against any MLS team. … D.C. United have one win in their last six games in MLS play (3L-2D), despite the fact they have been outscored by just one goal over that time (13 goals scored, 14 goals conceded).

All-Time Series

Overall: New England Revolution 26 wins, 86 goals … D.C. United 33 wins, 103 goals … 12 draws
At New England: Revolution 17 wins, 42 goals … D.C. United 10 wins, 36 goals … 8 draws
Last meeting at New England: New England Revolution 2, DC United 2 (April 22, 2017)