Goal-deprived D.C. United face defensive-minded Revolution

D.C. United and the visiting New England Revolution bring contrasting streaks into their match on Wednesday night.

New England (5-4-4, 19 points) is unbeaten in its last seven MLS games with four wins. Meanwhile, D.C. United (3-7-5, 14 points) are not only winless in their last four, but have not scored a goal during the run, which includes two draws and two losses.

The anemic production can be traced in part to an ankle injury to Christian Benteke (six goals in 12 games), who is expected to remain sidelined for Wednesday's match. D.C. has been without a goal in each of the three games that the 2024 Golden Boot winner has missed.

With the offensive shortfall, D.C. has been stuck on 13 goals this season, which is the second fewest in the Eastern Conference. The team will look to Joao Peglow (two goals, two assists) to fuel the offense.

During its drought, D.C. has generated 30 shots, putting 14 on target, including six in a 2-0 loss at home Saturday to the New York Red Bulls.

"I felt like we were serving too often and too early," D.C. coach Troy Lesesne said. "Now we have to figure out how to get our tens on a little bit more, play between the lines a little bit more."

After a 1-4-1 start, New England has surged into position to contend for a playoff berth. While the Revs have scored just 15 goals, they have surrendered the fewest (13) in the Eastern Conference.

In a 3-3 draw Saturday at Sporting Kansas City, the defense showed cracks, however, as the hosts scored all three of their goals in an 8-minute span of the second half to wipe out a 2-0 deficit.

But New England responded in the 84th minute behind reserve Maxi Urruti, who scored his first MLS goal since 2023, taking a feed from another backup, Luis Diaz.

"We have a good mentality," New England coach Caleb Porter said. "We also have good subs. Subs are solutions, and last year we didn't have that."

New England will look to top scorer Carles Gil (six goals, three assists) and to Tomas Chancalay, who scored Saturday in his first start in an MLS match following surgery in 2024 to repair a torn right ACL.

--Field Level Media