Cristian Penilla's brace lifts New England Revolution over D.C. United

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Cristian Penilla's second goal of the match helped hosts the New England Revolution to stretch their unbeaten streak to six games with a 3-2 win over D.C. United on Saturday night.

Penilla's goal, his eighth of the season, came five minutes after D.C. United's Yamil Asad capped his brace with an equalizing penalty. Teal Bunbury also scored for the Revolution, who improved to 2-0-4 in their last six.

Bunbury's goal was his team-leading 10th and established a new single-season high in his ninth MLS season. The midfielder had nine goals in 16 games before the World Cup break to match his previous high of nine, which he set in 2011 with Sporting Kansas City.

Asad's pair matched him with Darren Mattocks for the team lead in goals with seven. D.C. United entered with just one loss in their last four MLS matches, but failed to earn their first league win since May 19.

New England had not beaten D.C. United in the previous eight meetings, going 0-5-3.

Cristian Penilla
Cristian Penilla
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner turned aside five shots. D.C. United keeper David Ousted finished with one save.

Penilla put New England ahead 1-0 in the 18th minute with his left-footed strike.

Asad's first goal tied the game at 1 in the 43rd minute, directing Zoltan Stieber's free kick into the net with a header.

Bunbury gave the Revs a 2-1 lead in first-half stoppage time after beating Ousted with a right-footed strike that was set up by a long ball from Jalil Anibaba.

Asad's second-half equalizer was set up by Claude Dielna's foul of Mattocks inside the goal box.

Penilla netted the winner shortly after, following Oniel Fisher's foul on Andrew Farrell.

D.C. United visit the LA Galaxy on Wednesday. New England is off until Saturday, when it hosts the Seattle Sounders.