D.C. United snapped their five-game winless streak as they defeated Chivas USA 2-1 at The Home Depot Center on Sunday afternoon.
United, who became the first team to clinch a playoff spot after the Kansas City Wizards lost the previous day, were fueled by two first-half goals by Christian Gomez, his second coming just moments after Claudio Suarez converted a penalty kick for the home side.
Gomez, however, was forced to leave the match midway through the second half with what appeared to be a severe cramp in his leg.
With the win, United reached the 50-point mark and improved their record to a league best 14-3-8. Chivas, meanwhile, remain in fourth place in the Western Conference standings and only two points ahead of the fifth and sixth place Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.
United wasted no time pressing against Chivas and stormed out of the gate. In the third minute, Freddy Adu was taken down just outside the right side of the penalty area by Sacha Kljestan. Gomez took the ensuing free kick and bent it around the Chivas wall and over the head of goalkeeper Preston Burpo to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
United then picked up two yellow cards in the following 20 minutes as play turned chippy between the clubs. Bobby Boswell was shown the first yellow in the 18th minute for a hard tackle on Chivas forward Ante Razov and five minutes later it was Alecko Eskandarian picking up a yellow for another challenge on Razov. Both Boswell and Eskandarian will be forced to serve one-game suspensions and miss United's next match because of yellow card accumulation.
In the 29th minute, Razov was fouled again. This time, however, it resulted in a Chivas penalty kick.
Juan Pablo Garcia crossed a ball inside the United penalty area from the right flank and as Razov put his head down to shoot, United defender Facundo Erpen kicked at the ball but hit Razov's forehead instead. Razov laid on the pitch for several minutes after the blow but was able to return.
Referee Kevin Stott pointed to the penalty spot which caused Gomez to argue the call, earning him a yellow card for dissent. Gomez also will sit out United's game with yellow card accumulation.
Veteran Chivas defender Suarez took the spot kick, burying a low shot past Troy Perkins who dove correctly to his right but was unable to get a hand on the ball.
The goal marked the first time that Chivas scored against United in four all-time meetings dating back to last year's season opener.
United, however, struck back less than a minute later.
Gomez beat a Chivas midfielder to a loose ball in the Chivas third of the field, spun around a defender and raced past two more before calmly shooting past Burpo to give United a 2-1 lead with his second goal of the half and team-high 10th on the season.
Recent acquisition Matias Donnet made his United debut at halftime, the former Boca Juniors player replacing Adu.
On the hour mark, Gomez nearly completed the hat trick. Substitute Jamil Walker, who replaced Jaime Moreno, controlled the ball on a two-on-one break, passed to Gomez who lunged to stop the ball, got back on his feet and took a shot from just inside the penalty area that was wide left of goal.
Five minutes later, Gomez again came knocking on the Chivas goal as his 20-yard shot was punched away by Burpo and off the crossbar.
Gomez, however, cramped up on the attempt and had to be carried off on a stretcher and was replaced by Clyde Simms in the 69th minute.
Chivas pressed United for much of the remaining 20 minutes, however, the United defense held firm and limited Chivas' looks at goal.
Stoppage time was marred by pushing and shoving on both teams, yellow cards being handed out to Jason Hernandez and Francisco Mendoza of Chivas, while Josh Gros of United and Juan Francisco Palencia of Chivas were ejected.
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
