D.C. United vs. New England Revolution: Match Ratings From United's 3-2 Win Over The Revs

We learned a lot about D.C. United Saturday in their last match before their three-week break, a 3-2 win over New England. First, we learned this team is resilient. Second, we learned this team is never out of a game, but unless the defense improves, they are never fully safe with a lead. Finally, we learned this team has solid depth.

With three wins on the three-game homestand United now sit alone atop the Eastern Conference at 27 points. This is a team with a questionable back four, but a variety of attacking styles and options at their disposal. Brandon McDonald said it best after the game "We really don't have one set style of play. Who is on the field will dictate how we'll attack you."

Match Ratings:

GK - Bill Hamid - 8

It's tough faulting Hamid for either goal. On the first, he made a tough save before giving up a rebound to Sene. He had no shot of stopping Soares' header after DeLeon was beat on the corner. Hamid also made two huge saves, one in the closing seconds, that sealed the win.

DEF - Chris Korb - 6.5

Wasn't directly at fault for the first goal, but he didn't get back on defense after the McDonald giveaway which led to Sene being so wide open. He got forward well, at times.

DEF - Brandon McDonald - 7

Tough to give a guy who got a goal just a 7, but he made two huge errors which resulted in the first goal for New England. He did score his first of the season, and did some good things distributing out of the back. He also had at least two clearances out of the back at key points. His post-game interview was a ten, however.

DEF Dejan Jakovic - 6.5

Jakovic didn't really help stop either of the Revs goals when he could have done something to help prevent both. He did step up to shut down Soares on the corner, and practically set a pick on DeLeon by accident. However, adding his first goal of the season -- and United career -- was a big step.

DEF - Daniel Woolard - 7

Continues to improve every game. Another solid game, and he may just be the most consistent defender on the team.

MID - Perry Kitchen - 7

Quieter than normal, but did well breaking up a few Revolution attacks, and helped out immensely by going on the offensive in the final minutes.

MID - Nick DeLeon - 5.5

Couldn't go the full 90 in his return, and was beaten on the Revs' second goal. DeLeon did well on the attack, and tracked back well. Overall, it was a good to see him return from the hamstring injury.

MID - Andy Najar - 6.5

Najar started and went the full 90 minutes in the midfield for the first time in what feels like forever. After starting in defense or moving there, Najar spent the entire time in the midfield and did well on the attack. Najar nearly got an assist after beating a few men to the endline.

MID - Branko Boskovic - 6.5

The roller coaster ride that is Branko Boskovic continued tonight. Boskovic got an assist on United's first goal, and put in solid service from all set pieces. That said, he looked tired very early, and was sluggish in the attack. It will be very interesting, moving forward, to see how Boskovic is handled.

FWD - Dwayne De Rosario - 7.5

DeRo was all over the field tonight. It was another yeoman's job by De Rosario tonight. He did well coming back to get the ball, but also did a great job attacking. Obviously, you'd like to see more than one assist on a night like tonight, but the assist was pretty great.

FWD - Hamdi Salihi - 5

Salihi was absent for most of the night. It honestly wasn't much of a surprise to see him taken off, I was just surprised Ben Olsen waited until the 79th minute.

Subs:

FWD - Maicon Santos - 8.5 (Man of the Match)

Oh, Santos only played the final third of the game? Oh well, he did what he was supposed to do when coming on -- score. Santos netted the game-winner just four minutes after coming on to the pitch. He also did well holding the ball up and countering when United would go on the offensive.

MID - Lewis Neal - 6

Neal performed well when he was on the field, but really he was only on for twenty minutes, and most of that was spent defending or countering to waste time.

FWD - Josh Wolff - 6

Wolff provided an extra spark of energy when he came on and was all over the field defending.

Highlights: