D.C. United interim head coach Kevin Flanagan called for “resilience” amid the club’s winless run in MLS.

D.C. have lost each of their last four matches in the league and have not won since May 31, losing seven of their eight games since.

They may have some confidence heading into their next match as the New England Revolution, their next opponents, have failed to win in any of their last nine games.

Flanagan believes the club must stick together during this difficult period if they are going to get back to winning ways.

After their recent 4-2 defeat to Austin FC, Flanagan said: “When you look at a match like tonight, and we have conceded four goals, the defensive performance was not very good.

“There are a lot of things for us to go back and look at. It is tough to compete in games when you are conceding goals like we did tonight.

“We just need to keep going to work every day, getting back on the training ground and everyone understanding their role in the process and keep going at it. I mean it is sport.

“It is a really tough moment for the club, it is a really tough moment for the players. It is just important that we are all resilient throughout this moment, and we keep showing up every day and going back to work.

“We are down but the character of the group and the character of the club is just to get back up and keep working.”

D.C. have since appointed Rene Weiler as their permanent head coach, but are yet to disclose any information on the decision.

General manager Ally Mackay said: “Rene is a winner, plain and simple. Everywhere he’s gone, he’s raised the standard of results.

“With his experience and leadership, we’re confident he’s the right person to lead D.C. United back to competing at the highest level in MLS.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Carles Gil

Carles Gil has been a key player for New England this season. He is their top scorer with eight goals and has provided just as many assists.

This is already his third-best scoring season for the Revolution despite only playing 24 MLS games this campaign.

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke has been the most prolific player for D.C. United, scoring on eight occasions including two match-opening goals.

In his last match against Nashville SC, Benteke won four aerial duels while also scoring a goal. Over the last four seasons, Benteke has had 31 MLS matches with a goal and 4+ aerial wins, 24 more such games than any other player.

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN

New England are winless (D2 L5) over their last seven MLS matches at home, having allowed multiple goals in each of their last five home games. The Revolution have never allowed 2+ goals in six straight home league matches.

D.C. have lost five straight games in all competitions, despite scoring at least once in each defeat. It’s the only time in club history that D.C. have scored in five straight competitive matches but lost them all.

D.C. have got the better of New England of late, unbeaten in the last three MLS matches between them. New England are looking for their first league win in games between the two sides since July 2023. 

Both clubs have drawn one and lost five of their last six matches in MLS.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England Revolution – 52.0%

Draw – 24.5%

D.C. United – 23.5%