New England Revolution
New England walked a tightrope within the second half, however Matt Turner ensured there was no letdown.
The Revolution defeated D.C. United 1-0 on Saturday, guaranteeing that the group continued its excellent 3-0 dwelling file to begin the 2026 common season.
A lone objective within the thirty fifth minute from Alhassan Yusuf offered the distinction between the 2 sides in a recreation that in the end may’ve been a draw. However as first 12 months head coach Marko Mitrović continues to try to construct one thing in New England, accruing factors on margins just like the Saturday may very well be the distinction down the road.
It was additionally a special occasion for the membership, honoring the Olivia Knighton Foundation earlier than and through the recreation:
Listed below are a couple of takeaways:
One other tweak to the lineup, however the same idea.
After Yusuf began on the bench in opposition to Montreal per week in the past (although he shortly got here again into the squad with Matt Polster’s first-half harm), he was reinserted into an more and more acquainted function as an attacking midfielder on (nominally) the left aspect. Winger Griffin Yow dropped to the bench with Yusuf’s return.
The opposite change was that — with Polster nonetheless out with a decrease physique harm — Jackson Yueill obtained a uncommon begin (fielded alongside Brooklyn Raines in middle midfield).
Mitrović was rewarded for his inclusion of Yusuf, who has turn into one thing of a Revolution Swiss Military Knife within the early-going of 2026. The 25-year-old was one in all New England’s most energetic gamers in nearly each necessary statistical class, together with touches, recoveries, and lengthy passes (a extra uncommon mixture of issues, testomony to his versatility).
Most significantly was the objective, coming after (as typical) a looking out cross from Carles Gil to seek out left again Will Sands, who touched it to middle ahead Dor Turgeman. Although the 22-year-old Turgeman continues to be discovering methods to be extra constantly concerned, he has showcased a capability to be a skillful facilitator. Touching the ball over the defender, he labored it round for Yusuf to ultimately side-volley it contained in the far publish.
The Revolution had been unable to increase the lead.
Regardless of the great begin, New England proved unable to solidify their place within the recreation with a second objective (or with constant management).
Possession within the first half favored the house group by a large margin (61 p.c), although it helped masks a scarcity of incisiveness.
The possession virtually flipped within the second half, with the guests grabbing 57-percent per FotMob (and outshooting New England 9-7). But neither group was in a position to generate constant possibilities in entrance of the web, constructing a slender path for the Revolution to gather all three factors.
Matt Turner proved his mettle.
Navigating by means of the tight areas of the second half, wherein United had been largely the protagonists, was helped by a longstanding (and welcomed) issue for New England: Matt Turner shot-stopping.
The 31-year-old continues to try to construct his resume earlier than the World Cup, and did so with notable success on Saturday. Although supported by stable video games from middle again Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos, Turner was referred to as upon to make tough stops on a number of events.
Probably the most satisfying save arrived in stoppage time, with the win hanging within the stability. Turner stood tall on a point-blank shot from United winger João Peglow, denying him a late equalizer.
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