New England Revolution v D.C. United: Lesesne hoping to keep high level on ´hard´ road trip

Troy Lesesne was full of praise for D.C. United’s comeback win over Nashville SC but has urged the team to maintain their high level when they travel to New England Revolution.

D.C. came from behind, scoring two late goals to snatch a 4-3 victory over Nashville in midweek, moving them to 11th in the Eastern Conference.

They are one of three teams on 37 points and still have a chance of making the playoffs with two games remaining.

Lesesne is now keen to build on their latest run of form in what he describes as a tough place to visit.

“It’s another situation where we need three points,” Lesesne said. “We can go do it, but we just need to be in this mindset.

“New England are a very good team, I understand where they are in the table, but it’s really hard to get points there and we need to be at our best again.

“I’ve been trying to communicate a clear message the entire season about the mentality, and how the players display themselves. That was on full display [against Nashville].”

GABRIEL PIRANI BRACE TO GIVE DC THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/6wxht6tOFz

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 3, 2024

Meanwhile, New England’s slim chances of making the playoffs are still alive, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Houston Dynamo last time out.

They sit 14th in the table on 31 points with three games left, but head coach Caleb Porter acknowledged they need to improve the small details if they want to make it to the postseason.

“For me, where we fell short is the details [against Houston],” Porter said. “And that’s the area of our team that we have to continue to work on.

“We have to finish our chances. We have to be smarter in those details of our decision-making. And the guys know that. So, for me, that’s a real learning lesson.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Carles Gil

Carles Gil scored for the first time since early September from the penalty spot against Houston, ending a run of four games without a goal.

He is the team’s second top-scorer on seven goals, while he has also registered the most assists (five), and the Revs will be hoping he can provide the spark in their search for a vital three points.

Carles Gil doing what Carles Gil does best pic.twitter.com/pr7Zfw83yT

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) October 3, 2024

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

Most of the headlines for D.C. will often go to Christian Benteke, who has a league-high 22 goals so far. However, Gabriel Pirani stepped up when it counted on Wednesday.

He sits second on their goalscoring charts with six for the season, getting two of those in stoppage time in midweek, to flip the game on its head and claim a superb victory.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN

New England were on a three-match unbeaten streak against D.C. but lost their most recent meeting with them this season, going down 3-1 in February. However, D.C. have lost their last four trips to Gillette Stadium.

The Revs have won just one of their last seven MLS matches (D2 L4), though that victory came in their last home game as they edged past Nashville 1-0.

Meanwhile, D.C. have lost just one of their last six outings (W3 D2) – that defeat did come on the road, but they bounced back, coming from behind to get their win over Nashville in midweek.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England Revolution – 45.5%

Draw – 26.8%

D.C. United – 27.6%