By Benson Petit-Clair
The New England Revolution extended their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference table with a 2-1 victory over the visiting D.C. United on a rain-soaked Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
Rookie forward Patrick Mullins and midfielder Diego Fagundez scored a goal apiece to help the New England Revolution extend its unbeaten run to seven games, which includes a 5 game winning streak.
Mullins handed the hosts the lead in the 55th minute after finding a ball which was initially shot by Diego Fagundez but blocked by D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Mullins collected the ball and netted his fourth goal and as many matches, he became the second rookie in MLS history to accomplish that feat.
Substitute Fabian Espindola netted in the 73rd minute of the contest to level the score for the visitors following a run from the left side by Christian Fernandez. Espindola then picked up the ball and calmly put it past Bobby Shuttleworth for his 6th goal of the season.
Fagundez claimed the victory for New England four minutes later when he fired a shot into an empty net as he amasses his fourth goals in three games.
“I thought I did well on both sides of the field. I think I worked hard defensively and I think that if you do that offensively everything else just comes. Teal (Bunbury) played a ball across and it got flicked off and I just saw an open net,” added Fagundez after the match.
“Patrick Mullins just keeps scoring – but it all started with a ball getting wide to me. I tried to cut inside and take some players on and when I saw that I was one on one I tried to shoot it and even though it didn’t work out, luckily Patrick was there.”
D.C. United’s head coach Ben Olsen praised the way his team responded following the first goal, and admitted in his post-game remarks that the Revs are a good team.
“It’s mostly just that I’m proud about the way we went about the game, barreling back to get to 1-1. We should find a way to get a result out of that, but overall I’m very pleased with the way we played and fought. I think we were unlucky not to get something out of it. But they’re a good team – got a lot of moving parts that keep you on your toes. Not sure about the first goal. I’m sure when I look at it I’ll think again that it was a foul. I’ll have to check out the red on Eddie (Johnson). I’m sure that’s probably a little harsh, too,” added coach Olsen.