Substitute Lewis Neal scored his first MLS goal in the 63rd minute, and D.C. United persevered in its first game without captain Dwayne De Rosario to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 Saturday night.
With reigning league MVP De Rosario likely to miss the rest of the season with a sprained left knee, United got its goals from a usual source as well as a new one. Chris Pontius netted in the 32nd then set up Neal's left-footed strike in the second half.
Kelyn Rowe scored in the 29th for the Revolution, who were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. A diving save by United goalkeeper Bill Hamid kept Rowe from tying the game in the final minutes.
The win moved United back into playoff position in the Eastern Conference, overtaking Columbus for fifth place.
