D.C. United got two goals from Ben Olsen, a three-goal blitz over about a five-minute span -- and made sure there would be no repeat of another crash -- holding on to defeat FC Dallas 4-0 at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night.
When the same two sides played on July 14 at RFK Stadium, FCD found themselves trailing 3-0 in the 47th minute but the Hoops stormed back, scoring three second-half goals and leaving the nation's capital with a 3-3 draw. No such comeback was on the cards Saturday for the home team.
Olsen gave United the lead from long range after just four minutes, then in first-half stoppage time, scored his second goal on a rebound. In the opening five minutes of the second half, Christian Gomez and Fred both scored to seal the match as United extended their winning streak to six games.
For Olsen, it was his second multiple goal game of the year. On June 10, in a 4-2 win against New York at RFK Stadium, Olsen netted his first career hat trick in a professional career that began in 1998.
Olsen's first goal came after FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala took a goal kick that bounced near midfield and then was headed by D.C. midfielder Clyde Simms. Olsen was to the right of Simms and took a flyer from about 36 yards out. With Sala off his line, Olsen beat him inside the far post.
Sala was getting his first start between the posts since a 6-5 loss to the LA Galaxy in a SuperLiga match on July 31 and his first league start since the July 14 meeting in Washington. A sprained left MCL had forced him to miss each of FCD's last three league matches.
FCD's first shot didn't come until the 18th minute when midfielder Arturo Alvarez sprinted up the right side of the field. He faked out a United defender to create a nice opportunity but D.C. goalkeeper Troy Perkins was there at the near post to the save his close-range shot.
The Hoops' next chance came in the 31st minute when Carlos Ruiz came in one-on-one with Perkins, but the 'keeper was there for the easy stop.
Ruiz got a better look in the 36th as he was streaking toward the right post but once again, Perkins made the save. Ruiz hustled to secure his own rebound and then made a great pass to Juan Toja, straight out from goal. Toja got off a great shot that in most other cases would have tied the match but United defender Bobby Boswell was standing on the line to clear away the attempt.
Olsen's second tally came just before the whistle sounded to end the first half. Marc Burch sent a great cross into the FCD box, which found Emilio at the far post. Sala was there to make a point-blank save on the Brazilian's effort but Olsen was there to punch the rebound into the far side of the net to double the edge heading into the break.
It didn't take long for United to put the game away. Gomez's tally, his sixth of the year, came in the 47th minute. Burch sent a ball toward the FCD goal but it was poorly cleared by Hoops left back Chris Gbandi. His attempt fell at the feet of Gomez, who then beat Sala to make it 3-0.
Then just three minutes later, Gomez found Fred just outside of the area. He skipped across the top of the box before letting one go from about 22 yards out that beat a diving Sala to the far post.
The home fans went crazy when in the 55th minute, newly-signed Brazilian midfielder Denilson, FCD's designated player, made his long-awaited MLS debut when he replaced countryman Ricardinho.
FCD finally got their first shot of the second half in the 67th minute. That was when Alvarez sent a great ball into the middle of the United box, where Ruiz was waiting. The Guatemalan international controlled the cross in heavy traffic and was able to get his foot on the ball, but his effort went high.
Tonight's loss marked the worst loss for FCD ever at Pizza Hut Park, while the Hoops still have yet to defeat United in Frisco since the stadium opened in 2005. On Sept. 3, 2005, the Hoops had lost 2-0 to San Jose in what was previously their worst defeat on their home field. It also equaled FCD's worst loss of the 2007 season, matching a 4-0 loss to Toronto FC at BMO Field.
The Hoops will next face the USL's Seattle Sounders in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Tuesday at Qwest Field in Seattle. FCD returns to MLS action next Saturday when Toronto FC visits Pizza Hut Park for a match set to kick at 7:30 p.m. CT.
United doesn't return to action until Thurs., Sept. 6 when they will travel to The Home Depot Center to face Chivas USA (10 p.m. ET).
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
