United Stays Red Hot; Unbeaten Streak Hits 13

United 3, Crew 2

Ben Olsen is ecstatic after scoring United's final - and eventual game-winning goal - versus the depleted Crew at RFK Stadium. (Nick Wass - AP)

As the weeks have passed and victories have accumulated, D.C. United has been confronted with the burden of greater expectations. A sluggish winning effort is certainly acceptable, but the fans that have been gathering at RFK Stadium, not to mention the players themselves, are now anticipating something more -- a rhythmic attack, stylish goals, effortless shutouts.

That belief was significantly amplified last night for several clear reasons. Besides United's two-month unbeaten streak and near-invincibility at home, a struggling opponent beset with injuries hobbled into town.

United got the result it desired -- a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew before a home crowd of 20,227 to extend its run to 13 games -- but considering its lofty position in MLS, the performance did not meet the club's elevated standards.

"At the end of the game, we're pretty nervous because we're very disorganized," Coach Peter Nowak said. "Everyone was doing whatever they want."

Second-half goals by Brian Carroll and Ben Olsen forged a 3-1 lead, but Columbus closed within one in the 72nd minute, forced United goalkeeper Troy Perkins into a desperation save a moment later and then missed several golden opportunities in the final five minutes.

The match ended with a scramble in United's penalty area, a mass of players, including Crew goalie Noah Palmer, stabbing at the ball.

"There's a little stain on that game because we tried to give it away there at the end," Olsen said. "Columbus right now isn't the best team in the league and we should do better against that team. . . . We've got to be sharper because a better team punishes us for some of those mistakes."

Despite its shakiest home performance since the season opener in early April, United improved to 13-1-5 overall and 8-0-2 at RFK -- a place it will not play again until Aug. 19.

The Crew -- 4-8-6 overall, winless in its last eight games and a 5-1 loser here six weeks ago -- had an astounding 12 players sidelined by injury and another serving a one-game suspension.

As expected, United raided the Columbus defense from the outset and tested Palmer, a Maryland graduate who is the Crew's fourth goalkeeper of the year, with shots from close range as well as long distance.

D.C.'s persistence paid off in the 16th minute. While defender Facundo Erpen was being treated on the sideline for a minor foot injury, Gomez pushed the ball into the path of Olsen, whose low bid was stopped by Palmer. The rebound fell to Gomez, who bumped it into an open net for his seventh goal of the season.

Another goal seemed imminent, but after D.C. failed to finish its opportunities, the Crew scored a stunning equalizer against the run of play just before the break. Leonard Bisaku's through ball deflected off a United defender and bounced neatly to Kei Kamara, who smashed a one-timer past Troy Perkins.