D.C. United–New England Revolution rivalry

The D.C. United–New England Revolution rivalry is a soccer rivalry between D.C. United and the New England Revolution, who both play in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer. The two clubs were among the 10 founding members of MLS, and began playing against each other regularly since 1996. The rivalry intensified in the mid-2000s as the two clubs were among the premier franchises in MLS, although recently it has been seen as a secondary, yet fierce rivalry, between the two clubs.

D.C. United–New England Revolution rivalry
Other namesAcela derby
LocationEastern United States
First meetingApril 27, 1996
MLS regular season
DC 1–1 NE
Latest meetingFebruary 24, 2024
MLS regular season
DC 3–1 NE
Next meetingOctober 5, 2024
MLS regular season
NE v DC
Statistics
Meetings total97
Most winsNew England Revolution (37)
All-time seriesNE 37–36–23
Regular season seriesMLS: NE 33–32–20
Open Cup: NE 3–2–0
Postseason resultsDC 2–1–2
Largest victoryDC 5–0 NE
MLS regular season
(May 9, 2001)

Throughout most of the rivalry's history, the series has been fairly evenly matched between the Revolution and United, with the Revolution currently having an advantage in total all-time wins, 37 to 35. During the 1990s, D.C. United were dominate over the New England Revolution, while in the 2020s, New England were dominate over D.C. In the 2000s and 2010s the series was fairly even.

History

Early years

D.C. United and the New England Revolution's longstanding rivalry dates back to the inception of Major League Soccer in the mid 1990s.[1][2] Both the clubs were among the ten charter franchises that played in Major League Soccer during its inaugural 1996 season.[3] The prior year to the 1996 season, both clubs were announced as franchises in MLS. D.C. United was announced on June 15, 1994,[4] while on June 6, 1995, Robert Kraft became the founding investor/operator of the Revolution.[5]

The two teams played their first match against one another on April 27, 1996 with the Revolution hosting United at the now-demolished Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, southwest of Boston. In front of a crowd of 32,864; the match finished tied 1–1 in regulation thanks to Raúl Díaz Arce scoring the first goal for United in the 69th minute, and Geoff Aunger scoring the match-tying goal for the Revolution in the 78th minute off of a penalty kick. At the time, regular season matches did not end in dies, henceforth the match went into a penalty-kick shoot-out where the Revolution won 3–2 on penalties. The return match saw United winning 3–1 against the Revolution. Ultimately throughout the 1990s, United would dominate in matches over the Revolution posting eight wins, eight draws, and two losses against New England. During the late 1990s, United would win three of the four MLS Cup titles, as well as one CONCACAF Champions Cup, one Copa Interamericana, one U.S. Open Cup, and two Supporters' Shields. New England during this time failed to qualify for the playoffs three of four years, and the one season they did reach the playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round.[citation needed]

MLS domination

D.C. United won the 2004 Eastern Conference championship in what has been called one of the best games in MLS history.

Entering the early 2000s, the Revolution had more fortune in MLS play, in part thanks to the leadership of Steve Nicol, while United fell on harder times. During this time, the Revolution reached the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final, and the 2002 MLS Cup final, losing both occasions. United meanwhile failed to qualify for the playoffs from 2000 through 2002. In 2002, New England won the Eastern Conference regular season. In the mid 2000s, both clubs routinely jockeyed with each other as the premier Eastern Conference franchise in MLS. From 2002 until 2008, one of the two squads finished in the top two of the Eastern Conference in MLS. While the rivalry was split head-to-head between United and the Revolution, United had the advantage in terms of titles and trophies collected, winning the 2004 MLS Cup final, the 2008 U.S. Open Cup final, as well as winning the Supporters' Shield in 2006 and 2007. New England during this time won their first two major trophies, claiming the 2007 U.S. Open Cup title, and the 2008 North American SuperLiga title (a predecessor to the Leagues Cup tournament).

The rivalry was emphasized when the two clubs met in the 2004 Eastern Conference championship game, and the 2006 Eastern Conference championship game. The 2004 Eastern Conference championship game has been called by pundits and American soccer journalists one of the best matches in MLS Cup Playoff history.[6][7][8][9] The match ended in a 3–3 draw before United defeated the Revolution in penalty kicks.[10] United would ultimately go on to win the 2004 MLS Cup title over Kansas City Wizards, 3–2 to win their fourth and most recent MLS Cup title. The 2004 United squad was boasted by players such as Ben Olsen, Christian Gómez, Jaime Moreno, Freddy Adu, and Brian Carroll. The Revolution squad featured several notable players such as Taylor Twellman, Clint Dempsey,

From 2005 until 2008, the Revolution received the unfortunate moniker in MLS as being dubbed the "Buffalo Bills of MLS" by reaching the MLS Cup final three seasons in a row, losing each final (2005 until 2007).[11][12] Outside of MLS, the two clubs played periodically in the CONCACAF Champions Cup due to their success in MLS play. However, neither club met in the Champions Cup, and the best performances by each side included a quarterfinal run by the Revolution in 2006, and a semifinal run by United in 2007.

By the late 2000s entering the 2010s, both clubs' domination in the East came to a relative end, as United missed the playoffs five times from 2008 through 2014, while the Revolution missed the playoffs three seasons in a row from 2010 through 2012.

Recent years

Wayne Rooney of D.C. United and Andrew Farrell of New England Revolution battling for possession during a 2018 MLS match.

Since the mid-2010s, both clubs have been less competitive in Major League Soccer play, with only one major title shared between the two clubs since 2015 (New England's 2021 Shield). Despite this, pundits and players have emphasized the importance of the matches between the two sides given the rivalry's history,[13][14] and the clubs routinely jockeying for wild-card berths in the MLS Cup Playoffs.[15][16]

Despite the lesser successes by both sides in the late 2010s, the clubs maintained to achieve national and international soccer headlines during this time. In 2018, United opened their new soccer-specific stadium, Audi Field, making New England the final original MLS franchise to not play in a soccer-specific stadium. Additionally, United welcomed the signing of English international star, Wayne Rooney as a Designated Player. Around the same time, New England signed formed D.C. United and U.S. national team manager, Bruce Arena as their head coach.[17]

During the 2021 season, New England set a club record with their best regular season, led by the likes of Adam Buksa, Gustavo Bou, Tajon Buchanan, and Matt Turner.

Into the early 2020s, the clubs made news for exporting several of their stars to Europe. New England set a transfer record selling Buchanan to Club Brugge, Buksa to Lens of the French Ligue 1, as well as Turner to Arsenal in the Premier League. United meanwhile sold academy product Kevin Paredes to Wolfsburg of the German Bundesliga.[18]

Results

  D.C. United win  New England win  Draw

D.C. United vs. New England Revolution Season-by-Season Results
1990s (United, 8–2–8)
NoDateVenueHomeScoreAwayCompetitionAttendanceDC scorersNE scorersOverall recordRef
1April 27, 1996Foxboro StadiumNew England1–1[a]D.C. United1996 MLS season32,864Díaz ArceAungerTied 0–0–1[19]
2June 30, 1996RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–1New England19,355Rammel, Díaz Arce, J. HarkesNavedaD.C. United 1–0–1[20]
3July 20, 1996Foxboro StadiumNew England2–0D.C. United18,347Sawatzky (2)Tied 1–1–1[21]
4September 17, 1996RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–2New England7,360Pope, Díaz Arce (2)Moore (2)D.C. United 2–1–1[22]
5May 18, 1997Foxboro StadiumNew England0–0[a]D.C. United1997 MLS season15,109D.C. United 2–1–2[23]
6June 14, 1997Foxboro StadiumNew England0–1D.C. United26,313SannehD.C. United 3–1–2[24]
7August 27, 1997RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–2New England9,675Etcheverry, J. Moreno, Díaz ArceBaba, McKinleyD.C. United 4–1–2[25]
8September 16, 1997RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–2[a]New England11,607Moore (o.g.), J. HarkesMoore (2)D.C. United 4–1–3[26]
9October 5, 1997RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United4–1New England1997 MLS Cup Playoffs12,540Wegerle (2), Moreno (2)BurnsD.C. United 5–1–3[27]
10October 8, 1997Foxboro StadiumNew England1–1[a]D.C. United16,233WilliamsMooreD.C. United 5–1–4[28]
11March 29, 1998RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–1[a]New England1998 MLS season22,263KamlerBabaD.C. United 5–1–5[29]
12April 18, 1998Foxboro StadiumNew England1–1[a]D.C. United24,133EtcheverryJairD.C. United 5–1–6[29]
13May 13, 1998RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–2New England14,442Olsen, Sanneh, LassiterJair, ChronopoulosD.C. United 6–1–6[29]
14July 15, 1998Foxboro StadiumNew England0–1D.C. United17,206LassiterD.C. United 7–1–6[29]
15April 10, 1999Foxboro StadiumNew England2–2[a]D.C. United1999 MLS season18,373Aunger, LassiterMoore, TorresD.C. United 7–1–7[30]
16April 24, 1999Foxboro StadiumNew England3–2D.C. United15,132Lassiter, WoodMcKinley (2), SavareseD.C. United 7–2–7[31]
17July 25, 1999Foxboro StadiumNew England0–2D.C. United15,132Lassiter, TalleyD.C. United 8–2–7[32]
18October 9, 1999RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–1[a]New England20,695Álvarez (o.g.)MooreD.C. United 8–2–8[33]
2000s (Revolution, 16–15–9)
NoDateVenueHomeScoreAwayCompetitionAttendanceDC scorersNE scorersOverall recordRef
19April 15, 2000Foxboro StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United2000 MLS season15,174J. MorenoBaba (2)D.C. United 8–3–8[34]
20May 13, 2000RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–3New England18,493J. MorenoHarris, M. Ramos, BabaD.C. United 8–4–8[34]
21August 30, 2000Foxboro StadiumNew England1–0D.C. United15,489J. MoralesD.C. United 8–5–8[34]
22September 3, 2000RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–0New England51,996[b]Marino (2)D.C. United 9–5–8[34]
23April 21, 2001RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–1New England2001 MLS season15,656Conteh (2)OkohD.C. United 10–5–8[35]
24May 9, 2001RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United5–0New England10,638Conteh (4)[c], TalleyD.C. United 11–5–8[35]
25July 14, 2001Foxboro StadiumNew England1–3D.C. United14,691Quaranta (2), J. MorenoSunsingD.C. United 12–5–8[35]
26August 18, 2001Foxboro StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United15,226ArmstrongChronopoulos (2)D.C. United 12–6–8[35]
27August 22, 2001Foxboro StadiumNew England2–0D.C. United2001 U.S. Open Cup7,128Williams (2)D.C. United 12–7–8[35]
28June 8, 2002RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–2New England2002 MLS season12,988Nelsen (2), QuarantaTwellman (2)D.C. United 13–7–8[36]
29July 6, 2002Gillette StadiumNew England2–0D.C. United9,747Kamler, TwellmanD.C. United 13–8–8[37]
30July 27, 2002RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United0–1New England24,240HeapsD.C. United 13–9–8[37]
31September 7, 2002Gillette StadiumNew England3–0D.C. United15,748Twellman (3)[d]D.C. United 13–10–8[37]
32June 21, 2003RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–1New England2003 MLS season11,022StoichkovKamlerD.C. United 13–10–9[38]
33July 27, 2003Gillette StadiumNew England2–4D.C. United30,912Quintanilla (2), Kovalenko, EskandarianTwellman (2)D.C. United 14–10–9[39]
34August 9, 2003RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–0New England14,374KovalenkoD.C. United 15–10–9[40]
35October 11, 2003Gillette StadiumNew England1–0D.C. United12,006RalstonD.C. United 15–11–9[41]
36May 29, 2004Gillette StadiumNew England0–1D.C. United2004 MLS season19,314Kamler (o.g.)D.C. United 16–11–9[42]
37August 14, 2004RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–2New England13,298J. Moreno (2)Ralston, DormanD.C. United 16–11–10[42]
38August 28, 2004Gillette StadiumNew England0–0D.C. United17,236D.C. United 16–11–11[42]
39October 9, 2004RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–0New England19,461GómezD.C. United 17–11–11[42]
40November 6, 2004RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–3[e]New England2004 MLS Cup Playoffs[f]21,201Eskandarian, J. Moreno, GómezTwellman, Ralston, NoonanD.C. United 17–11–12[43]
41April 23, 2005RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–4New England2005 MLS season13,691J. Moreno (2), QuarantaTwellman, Joseph, Leonard, DempseyD.C. United 17–12–12[44]
42May 14, 2005Gillette StadiumNew England1–0D.C. United13,662TwellmanD.C. United 17–13–12[45]
43June 18, 2005RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–0New England17,611Quaranta, MorenoD.C. United 18–13–12[46]
44August 27, 2005Gillette StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United18,049QuarantaBoswell (o.g.), TwellmanD.C. United 18–14–12[47]
45June 3, 2006RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–0New England2006 MLS season22,686MorenoD.C. United 19–14–12[48]
46June 17, 2006Gillette StadiumNew England1–1D.C. United16,209MorenoDormanD.C. United 19–14–13[49]
47September 13, 2006Gillette StadiumNew England1–1D.C. United6,285GrosDempseyD.C. United 19–14–14[50]
48October 7, 2006RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–2New England21,022GómezDempsey, TwellmanD.C. United 19–15–14[51]
49November 5, 2006RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United0–1New England2006 MLS Cup Playoffs[g]19,552TwellmanD.C. United 19–16–14[52]
50May 3, 2007RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–1New England2007 MLS season12,908MorenoDormanD.C. United 19–16–15[53]
51August 5, 2007Gillette StadiumNew England0–3D.C. United12,618Gros, Emílio (2)D.C. United 20–16–15[54]
52September 9, 2007RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United4–2New England18,918Fred, Moreno, Emílio (2)Twellman, HeapsD.C. United 21–16–15[55]
53May 29, 2008Gillette StadiumNew England2–2D.C. United2008 MLS season8,159Emílio, FredCristman, DubeD.C. United 21–16–16[56]
54August 12, 2008RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–1New England2008 U.S. Open Cup6,797Emílio (2), QuarantaGermaneseD.C. United 22–16–16[57]
55August 20, 2008Gillette StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United2008 MLS season14,962MorenoTwellman, LarentowiczD.C. United 22–17–16[58]
56October 16, 2008RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–1New England16,672Doe (2)TwellmanD.C. United 23–17–16[59]
57April 17, 2009RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–1New England2009 MLS season14,441OlsenJosephD.C. United 23–17–17[60]
58May 30, 2009Gillette StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United15,271RalstonFredD.C. United 23–18–17[60]
2010s (United, 11–10–6)
NoDateVenueHomeScoreAwayCompetitionAttendanceDC scorersNE scorersOverall recordRef
59April 3, 2010RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United0–2New England2010 MLS season20,664Mansally (2)D.C. United 23–19–17[61]
60August 7, 2010Gillette StadiumNew England1–0D.C. United12,218PhelanD.C. United 23–20–17[62]
61March 26, 2011Gillette StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United2011 MLS season12,914DaviesSchilawski, JosephD.C. United 23–21–17[63]
62April 26, 2011Maryland SoccerPlexD.C. United2–3New England2011 U.S. Open Cup1,802Bošković (2)Dube (2), KogerD.C. United 23–22–17[64]
63July 20, 2011RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United0–1New England2011 MLS season16,597McCarthyTied 23–23–17[65]
64April 14, 2012Gillette StadiumNew England1–2D.C. United2012 MLS season10,389Santos, PontiusP. MorenoD.C. United 24–23–17[66]
65May 26, 2012RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–2New England14,627McDonald, Jakovic, SantosSène, SoaresD.C. United 25–23–17[66]
66September 15, 2012RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–1New England15,104Pontius, NealRoweD.C. United 26–23–17[67]
67June 8, 2013Gillette StadiumNew England0–0D.C. United2013 MLS season14,163D.C. United 26–23–18[68]
68June 26, 2013Maryland SoccerPlexD.C. United3–1New England2013 U.S. Open Cup2,918Pontius, De Rosario, PajoyTojaD.C. United 27–23–18[69]
69July 27, 2013RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–2New England2013 MLS season14,122SilvaImbongo, FagúndezD.C. United 27–24–18[70]
70September 21, 2013Gillette StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United19,187Caldwell (o.g.)Fagundez, NguyenD.C. United 27–25–18[70]
71April 5, 2014RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–0New England2014 MLS season10,526Gonçalves (o.g.), RolfeD.C. United 28–25–18[71]
72May 24, 2014Gillette StadiumNew England2–1D.C. United13,589EspíndolaMullins, FagúndezD.C. United 28–26–18[71]
73May 23, 2015Gillette StadiumNew England1–1D.C. United2015 MLS season15,216ArrietaDaviesD.C. United 28–26–19[72]
74June 21, 2015RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–1New England17,213Rolfe (2)DaviesD.C. United 29–26–19[72]
75October 28, 2015RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–1New England2015 MLS Cup Playoffs11,554Pontius, RolfeAgudeloD.C. United 30–26–19[72]
76March 12, 2016Gillette StadiumNew England0–0D.C. United2016 MLS season16,102D.C. United 30–26–20[73]
77April 23, 2016RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United3–0New England16,005Neagle, Acosta, SaboríoD.C. United 31–26–20[73]
78June 25, 2016RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United2–0New England16,051Franklin, EspíndolaD.C. United 32–26–20[73]
79April 27, 2017Gillette StadiumNew England2–2D.C. United2017 MLS season16,591Jeffrey, Le TouxNguyen, AgudeloD.C. United 32–26–21[74]
80June 28, 2017Jordan FieldNew England2–1D.C. United2017 U.S. Open Cup2,572OrtizFagundez, WrightD.C. United 32–27–21[74]
81August 16, 2017RFK Memorial StadiumD.C. United1–0New England2017 MLS season15,539AcostaD.C. United 33–27–21[74]
82June 30, 2018Gillette StadiumNew England3–2D.C. United2018 MLS season19,371Asad (2)Penilla (2), BunburyD.C. United 33–28–21[75]
83August 19, 2018Audi FieldD.C. United2–0New England20,198Acosta, StieberD.C. United 34–28–21[75]
84May 25, 2019Gillette StadiumNew England1–1D.C. United2019 MLS season20,131RooneyAgudeloD.C. United 34–28–22[76]
85July 12, 2019Audi FieldD.C. United2–2New England18,903Jara, AmarikwaBunbury, GilD.C. United 34–28–23[76]
2020s (Revolution, 9–2–1)
NoDateVenueHomeScoreAwayCompetitionAttendanceDC scorersNE scorersOverall recordRef
86July 17, 2020Marathon Sports Field[h]D.C. United[i]1–1New EnglandMLS is Back Tournament[j]0[k]HiguaínBuksaD.C. United 34–28–24[79]
87August 25, 2020Audi FieldD.C. United1–2New England2020 MLS season0[k]KamaraBou, BunburyD.C. United 34–29–23[80]
88September 27, 2020Audi FieldD.C. United0–2New England0[k]Bou, BuksaD.C. United 34–30–23[81]
89November 1, 2020Gillette StadiumNew England4–3D.C. United0[k]Asad, Yow, RivasBuksa, Canouse (o.g.), Bunbury (2)D.C. United 34–31–23[82]
90April 24, 2021Gillette StadiumNew England1–0D.C. United2021 MLS season8,000[l]Hines-Ike (o.g.)D.C. United 34–32–23[83]
91August 18, 2021Gillette StadiumNew England3–2D.C. United11,419Arriola, ÁbilaMcNamara, Buchanan, JonesD.C. United 34–33–23[83]
92October 20, 2021Audi FieldD.C. United2–3New England13,387Robertha, ÁbilaBuksaTied 34–34–23[83]
93April 23, 2022Audi FieldD.C. United3–2New England2022 MLS season17,131Fountas (2), EstradaBye, BuksaD.C. United 35–34–23[84]
94August 13, 2022Gillette StadiumNew England1–0D.C. United24,240GilTied 35–35–23[85]
95March 25, 2023Audi FieldD.C. United1–2New England2023 MLS season16,509BentekeBou, BuckNew England 36–35–23[86]
96July 15, 2023Gillette StadiumNew England4–0D.C. United29,884Bou, I. Harkes (2), Hines-Ike (o.g.)New England 37–35–23[87]
97February 24, 2024Audi FieldD.C. United3–1New England2024 MLS season19,215Benteke (3)GilNew England 37–36–23
98October 5, 2024Gillette StadiumNew EnglandD.C. United

Players and transfers

D.C., then New England

New England, then D.C.

Statistics

All-time wins

As of 24 February 2024
CompetitionsMatchesDC winsDC goalsDrawsNE winsNE goals
Major League Soccer86321272033112
MLS Cup Playoffs5210217
U.S. Open Cup529039
MLS is Back Tournament101101
Friendlies000000
Total97361472337129

Honors

With 13 major honors, D.C. United have won more major competitions than any other Major League Soccer club,[88] and are tied for the most of any North American soccer franchise ever.[89] D.C. United won their first major title in 1996, winning the 1996 MLS Cup championship. Since then, they have claimed three additional MLS Cups (league championship), four Supporters' Shields (league premiership), three U.S. Open Cups (national championship) and one CONCACAF Champions Cup title (continental championship). In addition, United won the 1998 Copa Interamericana, an infrequently-held and now-defunct super cup between the champions of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Of the original MLS franchises, New York was the last to have won its first major honor, capturing their first Supporters' Shield in 2013.[90]

Table correct as of January 22, 2023
HonorD.C. UnitedNew England
TitlesLast wonTitlesLast won
MLS Cup420040
Supporters Shield4200712021
U.S. Open Cup3201312007
Eastern Conference regular season6201432021
Eastern Conference post-season5200452014
CONCACAF Champions Cup[m]119980
Leagues Cup[n]012008
Copa Interamericana119980
FIFA Club World Cup00
Total242014112021

Eastern Conference standings finishes

  D.C. United  New England Revolution

P.1996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
1111111111
2222222222
33333
4444444444
5555555
666
777777
88888
99910
1010
1111
1212
1313
1414

Total: Tied with 14 higher finishes, each.

See also

Notes

References

External links