By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 16, 2006; E01

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.

About five minutes into the second half, United took the lead for good. Josh Gros led the counterattack and sprayed the ball out to John Wilson, Erpen's halftime replacement, whose cross was headed out of danger -- at least it appeared out of danger.

From his deep midfield role, Carroll approached the bouncing ball and unleashed a 30-yarder that streaked out of Palmer's reach and into the upper right corner.

"I don't get many of those opportunities that just put out toward the box there," said Carroll, who has two regular season goals in four years. "I got one tonight and I was happy I buried it."

Olsen stretched the lead in the 64th minute, rolling a gentle shot past a collection of defenders after Gomez had twisted and turned in the box.

The Crew was undeterred, though, reducing the deficit on reserve Eric Vasquez's 23-yard blast and forcing Perkins into a desperation save a minute later on Eddie Gaven's header.

"They give us trouble today," Nowak said of the Crew. "Respect and credit to them -- they were still pushing for the one point. It was a good win for our team, our fans, our mentality, but we've got to work on the organization."

United Notes: D.C. is in discussions with European power Real Madrid about scheduling an exhibition between the clubs early next month at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, United officials said last night.

Real, the most successful team in European soccer history, already has committed to playing MLS's Real Salt Lake on Aug. 12 and is looking to add a second match a few days earlier. RFK Stadium is not available because the Washington Nationals are playing there that weekend, and neither FedEx Field nor M&T Bank Stadium is an option because of the NFL exhibition season.

United officials recently toured Camden Yards and were satisfied with the proposed seating configuration and field alterations for a soccer event. It is now apparently up to Real whether it wants to play in Baltimore and under such circumstances.

Real's roster includes England's David Beckham and Brazil's Ronaldo, but several signings are possible, including the Netherlands' Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Italy's Fabio Cannavaro.

Kenny Cooper scored the game-winning goal before more than 13,000 fans at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., lifting FC Dallas to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire.

Cooper assisted on the first goal in the eighth minute and then scored the last one on a header in the 80th minute.

· DYNAMO 3, WIZARDS 2: Brad Davis and Brian Ching scored second-half goals to lift Houston to victory in Kansas City, Mo.

Eddie Robinson also scored for the Dynamo, which remained three points behind first-place FC Dallas in the Western Conference.

· CHIVAS USA 0, GALAXY 0: Chivas USA and Los Angeles played to a draw at Home Depot Center.

Chivas moved into a third-place tie with Colorado while the Galaxy remained five points out of a playoff spot.