New England Revolution edge D.C. United, inch closer to MLS points mark

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:03 am

Adam Buksa, Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou scored second-half goals and the New England Revolution moved closer to notching the most points in MLS history by recording a 3-2 victory over D.C. United on Wednesday night in Washington.

The three goals came during an 18-minute stretch as the Revolution (21-4-6, 69 points) moved within three points of the record set by Los Angeles FC in 2019. New England has three regular-season matches remaining.

Nigel Robertha and Ramon Abila scored goals for D.C. United (12-13-5, 41 points), who took a painful loss as they battle for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. D.C. United was tied for sixth place entering the day.

Bou's goal was his team-best 15th of the season, while Buksa is right behind with 14. League assists leader Gil (17) tallied for the fourth time this season as the Revolution improved to 6-0-2 over their past eight matches.

The Revolution won all three meetings with D.C. United this season.

New England goalkeeper Matt Turner made seven saves as D.C. United put nine of their 20 shots on target.

The Revolution put seven of 18 shots on target. D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid made four saves.

New England scored twice in a three-minute span of the second half to turn a one-goal deficit into a 2-1 lead.

Tommy McNamara sent a pass into the box and Buksa knocked a header past Hamid to knot the score in the 61st minute.

Three minutes later, Gil was dribbling near the top of the box, saw a little opening and unleashed a left-footed blast that easily eluded the right hand of Hamid.

Bou got into the act in the 79th minute as the Revolution took a two-goal lead. Buksa had the ball in traffic close to the net and sent a back-heel pass back to Bou, who sent a right-footer inside the left post.

D.C. United moved within one on a goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Kevin Paredes delivered a cross from the left flank toward Abila, who scored his third goal for D.C. on a header that caromed off Turner's hand before landing in the net.

D.C. United took the 1-0 lead in the 51st minute on a fast-break situation.

Ola Kamara took a right-footed shot that slammed off the left goalpost. The ball bounced out to Robertha, who hammered a right-footed shot into the net for his fourth goal of the season.