Revolution seek first road win at D.C. United

D.C. United is an MLS charter franchise that has fallen on hard times.

The New England Revolution can take advantage of the disarray in D.C. when they take on the United bunch on Saturday night (7:30) at Audi Field.

The Revolution improved to 2-4-1 after last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Charlotte at Gillette Stadium that snapped a four-game MLS losing streak. The Revolution are 0-2-1 on the road this season, a start in glaring contrast to last season when the club went 10-3-4 and set a team record for road wins.

D.C. United (2-4-0) is in last place in the Eastern Conference and coming off a disheartening 3-2 collapse to Austin FC.

D.C. United led 2-0 at halftime but gave up three goals in the final 10 minutes for its fourth straight loss. The destabilizing setback caused the wheels to fall off the wagon. D.C. United fired first-year field manager Hernan Losada six games into his tenure and installed Chad Ashton on an interim basis.

“I think it leaves us without a scouting report,” said Revolution coach Bruce Arena. “Who knows what the new coach will do, what kind of formation he will play and the players he’ll use so that is an unknown. So, all the concentration has to be on our team.

“Regarding the dismissal of the coach, I never like to see a coach or a player get fired of dismissed. However, you want to learn from it. I know the coach worked hard to get D.C. United moved up the ladder from where they stand in the Eastern Conference. He worked really hard so I wish him the very best.”

Losada wasn’t the only casualty of the Austin FC debacle. Striker Ola Kamara, who led the team with 19 goals last season, scored in the 26th and 40th minutes before he became unhinged.

Kamara drew his first yellow card for removing his jersey in a grandstanding celebratory gesture after scoring a goal. He drew a second yellow for a needlessly aggressive takedown in the 52nd minute. Since two yellows add up to one red card, Kamara is not eligible to play against the Revolution.

D.C. United has scored seven goals in six games this season and Kamara has accounted for four of them. Ashton begins his tour of duty in D.C. with his only serious scoring threat in street clothes.

“It’s great for us,” said Revolution journeyman midfielder Emmanuel Boateng. “I know Ola very well, I played with him in LA and with D.C. United as well for a year.

“It’s good that he’s not playing, but they still have some equally good players. We still have to prepare the same way, just be switched on defensively and not give up any chances.”

NOTES: The Revolution have signed midfielder Dylan Borrero to a three-year contract with a one-year option pending receipt of his P-1 visa and international transfer certificate. Borrero, 20, played internationally for Columbia and professionally for Clube Atletico Mineiro of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/kNYC3bU