D.C. United have made a habit of dropping points this season, especially lately. A 5-2 laugher in Los Angeles was followed by successive pathetic shutouts against Dallas and Chivas USA. All results that somehow made last weekend’s goalless draw at Houston look like a major victory while simultaneously dwindling D.C.’s playoff hopes.

Those hopes look a touch brighter this morning, as the boys in black overcame a second half Taylor Twellman goal with — incredible though this might seem — two Francis Doe goals to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 in front of 17,000 at RFK last night. Doe was a man transformed from the clueless, pushover striker who had not, to date, ever scored for the club. His early movement was lively and his link-ups with star forward Luciano Emilio helped give D.C. a steady stream of chances. But for all his effort, Emilio’s struggles in front of the net continued, and he wasted at least four quality opportunities (one clanging off the bar) in the first half alone.

D.C. also looked sharp down the flanks, with the tireless Ivan Guerrero getting to the line and serving dangerous balls across the penalty area and Thabiso Khumalo creating opportunities by cutting inside. New England had some chances — mostly from the speed and drive of Khano Smith on the left flank — but United did a good job of neutralizing star midfielder Shalrie Joseph, now sporting the league’s most ridiculous hairstyle.