D.C. United continued the streak of misery for FC Dallas, extending their club record winless streak and also keeping them winless at their new Pizza Hut Park, getting goals in each half on their way to a 2-1 victory Saturday night.
Facundo Erpen scored his first MLS goal in the 15th minute to send United on their way, then Santino Quaranta scored D.C.'s second late in the match before Ramon Nuñez got a late consolation goal for FC Dallas, who now haven't won in 10 league games.
In an attempt to change his team's fortunes, FCD coach Colin Clarke started both Eddie Johnson and Carlos Ruiz on the bench. Santino Quaranta didn't start for United, Jamil Walker instead selected to partner Freddy Adu in attack.
United controlled the first half and nearly took the lead in the sixth minute at the end of a nice passing sequence. Brandon Prideaux started the move with a bold dribbling run, then he found Christian Gomez, who sent to Freddy Adu, who laid it back to Prideaux but his shot was well over the goal.
Erpen -- D.C.'s recent Argentinian signing -- scored his first MLS goal in the 15th minute as he got on to the end of a corner with a wild, lunging side volley. He drove the ball down into the turf with his left foot, Scott Garlick unable to reach the ball as it bounced up into the top of the goal.
The Hoops did little to threaten the United goal in the first half, but in the 43rd minute Bobby Rhine sent in a bending kick that Nick Rimando punched with his left hand.
Adu then brought an equally fine save from Garlick at the other end just before the halftime whistle, a left-footed shot which the FCD 'keeper was able to dive and push away.
United started the second half as they ended the first half. Adu flicked the ball over the defense to race against Garlick on a tight angle but his pass sailed through the goal mouth with no one there for the easy tap-in.
In the 53rd minute Rimando's backline kept his shutout alive. Mark Wilson found Nuñez streaking down the left sideline where he sent in a solid shot that trickled through to the goal line. Rhine made a mad charge at the ball and nearly pushed it over, only to have it cleared off the line by Brian Carroll.
FCD started to get the upper hand and Clarke brought on Ruiz and Johnson at the 62nd minute. Within just three minutes they tested Rimando as Johnson raced up the right flank before slotting a pass to Ruiz in the box, but the United 'keeper was able to come up big and preserve the lead.
It paid off as United extended the lead in the 71st minute. Rimando struck a great clearance down the left touchline which found Walker in full stride where he easily beat Rhine in a foot race. He drove a low cross to Quaranta at the far post who easily turned the ball home.
Quaranta continued to break down the Hoops' defense in the 82nd minute as he nearly found Gomez with a cross to the back post which was broken up.
Nuñez cut the lead in half in the 87th minute as he made a great run up midfield past two United defenders to set up a wickedly dipping and powerful right-footed strike at full pace that sailed over a well-beaten Rimando.
United held on for a valuable three points as they moved back into second place in the East with the loss Saturday by the Kansas City Wizards and the off week for the Chicago Fire.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Facundo Erpen (D.C. United)
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
