It was another stagnant start for the Revs, whose reactionary fans did not take lightly to. Following a poor 2-2 draw with Chicago last match, the league leaders needed to get their mojo back at Audi Field. They failed to do so in a scoreless first half in which they were dominated and had no chances to get on the scoreboard.
They finally paid for it early in the second half, when MLS Golden Boot leader Ola Kamara curled one off the post with the outside of his foot. Nigel Robertha smashed it home into the top right corner on the rebound, and DC had their lead at one.
Ten minutes later, the Revs were recharged into the team we all know they are. Adam Buksa powered home a header from distance on the cross from Tommy McNamara, which equalized. Carles Gil’s magic showed as he followed up with his fourth goal of the campaign. He danced at the top of the box, made a man slide and miss, and faked the shot once more before curling it into the bottom left from outside of the box. Advantage for the visitors.
Gustavo Bou was having a rough match, but he too found the scoresheet via Adam Buksa’s perfect lay off. Buksa held the ball up extremely well, and took a page out of Gil’s book with a backheel pass to Gustavo Bou, who found Bill Hamid’s near post for three. For the second New England-DC matchup in a row, Ramon Abila cut the deficit down to 3-2 in stoppage time with a meaningless consolation goal.
Seattle’s draw with the Rapids marks even more dropped points, and puts the Revolution’s magic number at 2 for the Supporter’s Shield. They now have a total of 69 points, one win shy of tying the all-time MLS points record, with three matches to go. They will visit Orlando City on national TV next Sunday, with either a chance to clinch the shield, or they may already have based on Seattle’s performance on Saturday.
New England will then finish the season with two home matches against the Colorado Rapids and Inter Miami CF. In the middle of November, the playoffs will commence, with the Revs likely playing their first game in the late part of the month.