Second-half substitute Chris Pontius scored with nine minutes to play to secure D.C. United's 2-1 victory at New England on Saturday afternoon.
Pontius clinched all three points and extended United's unbeaten streak to four matches with a deft cut inside and a fine finish two minutes after his introduction. The goal completed the visitors' comeback after Maicon Santos' header canceled out José Moreno's first MLS goal inside the opening 20 minutes of the contest.
United (2-2-2) secured their second win in three matches and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Revolution with Pontius' late winner, while the Revs (2-4-0) crashed to a second straight defeat after last Thursday's 1-0 loss at FC Dallas.
Moreno marked his full debut with a goal after just six minutes. Lee Nguyen and Saër Sène combined down the left to slide the French forward into a good crossing position. Sène's tempting service left the unmarked Moreno with little more to do than volley home at the near post and peel away to celebrate his first MLS goal.
United improved after conceding the opener and pressed forward into the attacking half. Danny Cruz forced Matt Reis to push away his deflected effort from distance after a neatly worked short corner by Nick DeLeon prompted the opportunity.
DeLeon's work from the left corner also started the move that led to Santos' equalizer after 19 minutes. The rookie midfielder floated a cross to the far side of the penalty area for De Rosario to bicycle kick toward goal. Santos reacted quickly to divert De Rosario's attempt into the net from six yards for his third goal of the campaign.
Both sides went close as the first half progressed as Nguyen cleared an effort off the Revs' goal line and United keeper Joe Willis pushed a Chris Tierney free kick onto the post, but the two sides entered the break on level terms nonetheless.
The frenetic terms on offer in the first half continued in a second half without much play in midfield, but the visitors ultimately benefited from the better of the chances and the influence of a pair of substitutes to win the game.
De Rosario created the best chance of the second half nine minutes from time with a carefully weighted ball to play Josh Wolff through on goal. Wolff attempted to slot the resulting chance home inside the far post, but Reis did well to dive to his left to thwart the chance.
Reis couldn't do anything to prevent Pontius from giving United all three points just a minute later. DeLeon did well to win a 50-50 ball inside the Revolution half and the play eventually squirted out to Pontius on the left side of the penalty area. Pontius cut inside his marker and fired home his first goal of the season to extend United's unbeaten run and send the Revs to the showers with a stunning defeat at home.
D.C. United return to action at home on Wednesday against the Montreal Impact, while the Revolution face the New York Red Bulls on the road on April 28.
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