Christian Benteke nets hat trick as D.C. United opens new era with a win

And on a cold night at Audi Field, United’s season took its first steps with a 3-1 victory over the travel-strained New England Revolution before an announced 19,215.

“You were able to see for your own eyes … the type of team we’re trying to be and what we aspire to do in the match,” Coach Troy Lesesne said. “That’s what we’ve been working on for six weeks — just trying to be an aggressive team, proactive team but also creative at the right times. And I think we displayed a number of those characteristics tonight.”

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Benteke, the team’s leading scorer last year, posted goals in the 34th and 72nd minutes before capping his second hat trick in his past four appearances with a stoppage-time goal. Last fall, the Belgian striker notched three goals against the New York Red Bulls, who, at the time, were coached by Lesesne.

“Now I score a hat trick for him,” Benteke said, smiling. “So hopefully many more to come.”

The season also started with members of the supporters’ groups holding up a banner saying “Say No to Sportswashing” — a protest about the team’s preseason trip to Saudi Arabia. They also refrained from banging drums and engaging in organized singing — inactions that dulled a usually festive atmosphere on opening night at Buzzard Point.

Lesesne was not allowed to enjoy the fruits of his labor fieldside because of a red card in his final game as interim coach of the Red Bulls. Assistant Zach Prince was in charge.

United had 18 players in uniform, two under the maximum. Five players, including veterans Steven Birnbaum and Russell Canouse, were sidelined with injuries.

United showed its new look under Lesesne by pressuring the Revolution and looking to counter quickly. New England threatened in the 18th minute, but Alex Bono made a brilliant kick save on Tomás Chancalay.

The Revolution — which played a Concacaf Champions Cup match Wednesday in Panama — was left shorthanded in the 25th minute when forward Giacomo Vrioni received his second yellow card.

Nine minutes later, United went ahead when Pedro Santos chipped a cross to Benteke for a close-range header. With only an instant to react, Henrich Ravas made a kick save. His left foot, however, was behind the goal line. After video review, referee Andrew Musashe counted the goal.

Newcomer Jared Stroud should have doubled the lead just before intermission, but his volley from inside the six-yard box crashed off the crossbar.

Early in the second half, Bono made a leaping save on Carles Gil’s free kick.

Gil tied the game in the 67th minute. Making a run from near the sideline, he cut into a pocket between four passive D.C. players and curled a 22-yard shot into the top far corner.

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United answered five minutes later. Gabriel Pirani’s effort from the top of the box was deflected into the air. Newcomer Conner Antley, who had entered moments earlier, beat Jonathan Mensah to the header in the box. He directed it to the back side, where Benteke drove it into the net.

In stoppage time, Benteke beat Ravas to Aaron Herrera’s high cross and headed it in from five yards.

“We are still in the process: new coach, new ideas, new players,” Benteke said. “What I said to the boys was ‘We don’t really have to focus about the result.’ We are still trying to play a new way that Troy wants us to play. But today it was a great game because obviously we had a good game and we won.”

Here’s what else to know about United’s victory:

Dave Johnson, United’s broadcast voice on local TV between 1996 and 2022 and on radio last year, was honored at halftime. The club announced Saturday the broadcast booth has been named for him; the outer wall features a mural with his signature call, “It’s in the Net!”

Ironically, Johnson couldn’t be heard Saturday because the team has yet to announce radio plans. The radio broadcast is also an option for Apple TV viewers who prefer local announcers.

With MLS match officials in a labor dispute with their employer (the Professional Referee Organization), replacements worked the game. Their experience level ranged from NCAA soccer to the third division and U.S. Open Cup.

Because of the impasse, signs were posted at Audi Field preventing the replacements from using certain entrances.

United’s next home game is March 16, featuring Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Until then, United will visit the Portland Timbers next Saturday and FC Cincinnati on March 10.