Signed a few weeks ago as the potential final piece to the puzzle to bring D.C. United back to the MLS Cup championship, Facundo Erpen made the most of his first start for the team in the center of defense, scoring his first goal and leading the Black-and-Red to a 2-1 victory against FC Dallas on Saturday night.
United dominated much of the play in the first half with Erpen playing solid defense and he made his presence felt on the offense in the 15th minute as he lunged to knock a corner kick past Scott Garlick with a wild side Volley.
"We know when we signed Facundo here he was going to be a great defender," said United coach Peter Nowak. "We had to play him in the first couple of weeks at a different position, as a sweeper. We had to insist on him communicating. That's why he played a couple of games as a marker. Right now, he goes back to his natural position. I think he did very well today in communicating with the guys in the front and the back."
D.C. United was firing on all cylinders throughout much of the game, but goalkeeper Nick Rimando was one of the heroes as he came up big on several occasions.
"Nick had a great game," said the coach. "You cannot win the game if the goalkeeper does not make those saves - this is important for his confidence."
Rimando also played a part in the vital second goal for United -- though it didn't come without controversy. FC Dallas claimed center back Clarence Goodson was on the ground injured, and instead Rimando drove the ball upfield, finding Jamil Walker on the left flank. His low cross was turned into the goal by Santino Quaranta for United's second.
"I can't believe Bobby Rhine didn't see him [Jamil Walker] on the sideline and when the ref blew the whistle I just tried to hit a good enough ball to Jamil," Rimando said. "I thought he was going to go in but he gave a great touch and played the ball to Santino in the middle."
Said Quaranta: "Yeah it's always nice to score. Jamil did a lot of the work I just had to tap it in."
With the convincing win at Pizza Hut Park, United once again moved forward in the Eastern Conference standings, now back in second place ahead of the Kansas City Wizards and Chicago Fire.
"We have five games left. The win tonight was really big for us and we are moving forward," Nowak said.
Added Rimando: "We deserved the shutout but didn't get the shutout. But we got the three points, which is more important."
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
