FOXBORO — After weeks of sliding, slipping, and going nowhere fast, the New England Revolution finally took one step forward on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. With nearly two-dozen of the their all-time greatest players in attendance for an alumni event celebrating the franchise’s 30-year anniversary, the Revolution (7-11-7, 28 points) snapped a nine-game winless run and defeated longtime rivals DC United 2-0.
Revolution captain Carles Gil made the difference and wrote his name into New England soccer history on a night designated for celebrating the club and looking back. Gil’s assist and goal in the second half were his 129th and 130th career goal contributions with the Revolution, which tied and surpassed the previous club record held by Taylor Twellman.
It was fitting that Twellman was in the stands along with several of his other teammates from 2002-10 to witness the breaking of his record. Hours before at a VIP event for fans featuring many of the club’s former standout players, Twellman stated that Gil is arguably the best player to ever wear a Revolution jersey.
Gil helped the Revolution open the scoring in the 62nd minute. He beat three defenders on the right flank, then crossed into the penalty area for Leonardo Campana, who nodded the feed inside the far corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
New England’s second tally arrived eight minutes later. With the ball near the left side of the box, Peyton Miller cut to the inside and laid the ball off to Gil, who neatly curled a shot from the top of the area past a motionless Joonhong Kim for his historic ninth goal of the season.
The Revolution couldn’t afford another slip-up after taking one win in their previous 14 regular season games and fans protesting the club’s poor form. With Gil helping lead the attack, Matt Turner made his season debut in goal after joining the club from Olimpique Lyonais last week and helped hold the match down defensively.
Turner recorded four saves and kept a clean sheet, his best moment coming in the 37th minute after he dropped down to halt a low drive by DC’s Hsei Kijima off a fast break.
The game was cagey for long spells, including most of the first half. Campana’s first-time shot from top of box was saved by Kim in the 57th minute, while Jared Stroud had a soft-hit shot saved by Turner (64th); and Gabriel Pirani’s left-footed shot from center of box missed wide right (65th). Campana’s first-time lob flew over the bar from Tomas Chancalay’s cross in the 69th minute as well.
The result leaves DC (4-15-7, 19 pts) in last place and winless in 15 games. The Revolution will try to build on the result next Saturday as they host Los Angeles FC.
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