Boskovic leveled the score after playing a give-and-go with Santos and beating four defenders to stab a near-side shot past Tally Hall.
But by then, Houston was on its way to MLS Cup for the fourth time in seven years.
D.C. United ousted from MLS playoffs by Houston Dynamo
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post - United defender Emiliano Dudar, far left, watches the final minutes of the team’s season unfold. United needed multiple goals to defeat Houston; instead, it had to settle for a 1-1 tie that sends Houston to MLS Cup for the fourth time in seven years.
United established an early rhythm, but without De Rosario, Pontius and Najar, lacked a skillful individual to unlock Houston’s defensive scheme. The Dynamo was unfazed by the atmosphere and emotion, took United’s forays in stride, minimized mistakes and calmly probed for opportunities.
In the 34th minute, Houston’s patience paid off. Brad Davis took the initiative at the top of the box, surging into the right side and skipping over Dejan Jakovic’s slide en route to the end line.
Davis, MLS’s most reliable left-footed player, used a clever touch with the outside of his best leg, guiding the ball to Garcia for an angled six-yarder over Hamid and into the top near corner. Emiliano Dudar, McDonald’s replacement, missed his mark as Garcia met Davis’s service.
“In a game like that, where you need goals, you are going to have to not make any mistakes on the defensive end,” Olsen said. “We fouled one up.”
United was better in the second half, committing more players forward and surviving Houston’s counterattacks. Hamid made a terrific save on Mac Kandji in the 78th minute, but United’s final touches were mostly off the mark.
To their credit, despite fading hopes, United’s players continued to attack with vigor, if not style, until referee Baldomero Toledo’s whistle ended their season.
“The character the guys showed, the dedication, the unity, was fantastic,” De Rosario said, holding back tears. “It’s something to build on in the future.”
Galaxy advances
Eddie Johnson and Zach Scott scored to give Seattle a 2-0 lead but Robbie Keane was awarded and converted a penalty kick in the 68th minute that clinched the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 4-2 aggregate victory over the Sounders in the Western Conference finals and a spot in the MLS Cup final for the second straight year.
Host Seattle staged a rally trying to come back from a 3-0 deficit after getting overwhelmed in the first leg of the Western Conference finals last week.
Los Angeles will host the final.
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