Story & Photos by Shawn Payne
Match Date: August 19, 2026 | Audi Field, Washington, D.C. | MLS
WASHINGTON — D.C. United returned to Audi Field Wednesday night carrying the momentum of a six-match unbeaten streak and a renewed push in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Black-and-Red had gone nearly two months without a league defeat, and supporters arrived at Audi Field with reason for optimism as United looked to continue that run against the New England Revolution.
For the opening stages of the match, that optimism remained. D.C. worked to establish itself at home while the crowd settled into a midweek night of soccer in the District.
Then, in the 23rd minute, the direction of the night began to change.
New England worked the ball across the penalty area, where Peyton Miller redirected Jack Harrison’s delivery back into danger. Alhassan Yusuf rose to meet it, heading the ball past the D.C. defense to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead.
The goal was the beginning of a memorable night for Yusuf — and the beginning of the end of D.C. United’s unbeaten run.
Yusuf struck again before halftime, sending New England into the break with a 2-0 advantage and leaving D.C. searching for a response.
United returned for the second half needing to find a way back into the match, but New England continued to dictate the night. In the 66th minute, Yusuf found the net once more, completing his hat trick and extending the Revolution’s advantage to 3-0.
Jack Harrison assisted on all three goals as New England turned what began as a night of optimism for D.C. United into a commanding road victory.
Yusuf’s performance marked the first hat trick of his MLS career and the first by a Revolution player in a regular-season match since Kei Kamara in 2017.
For D.C. United, the final whistle brought an end to a six-match unbeaten streak and a difficult conclusion to a night that began with the Black-and-Red looking to build on their recent momentum.
United will now have to regroup as the Eastern Conference playoff race continues and the club looks to begin another run.
