Olsen Strikes Twice, United's Streak at 6

D.C. Moves Into Tie for First in East: United 4, FC Dallas 0

FRISCO, Texas, Sept. 1 -- It's probably a little late in his career for Ben Olsen to make a run at teammate Jaime Moreno's MLS goal-scoring record, but Olsen is giddy over his career season nonetheless.

Olsen's two first-half strikes propelled D.C. United to a 4-0 victory over FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night. Not only did the streaking club post its biggest road win since 1998, it was United's sixth consecutive league victory, matching last year's lengthy winning streak.

The winning margin was the largest yet for any opponent at Pizza Hut Park and a bit of retribution for United against the club that rallied for a draw on July 14 after United wasted a 3-0 lead.

Olsen's efforts before intermission were about as well timed as two first-half goals can be. His fourth-minute strike from just inside 40 yards put United in control right away, and his opportunistic effort from close range just before the halftime whistle certainly was demoralizing for the hosts.

While United has been busy lately, Dallas had played just once in the previous three weeks, and D.C. Coach Tom Soehn thought that was significant.

"I think we caught them on a day when they weren't sharp," Soehn said. "We had a feeling they might be a little flat, and we wanted to keep a good pace in the first 15 minutes."

With insurance goals from Fred and Christian Gomez soon after the break, United pulled away from Dallas and pulled even with New England in the Eastern Conference race. Each team has 42 points, with United owning a game in hand.

Olsen now has a career-high seven goals for the season -- not bad for a career midfielder who had just 21 goals in 176 matches entering his ninth professional season.

Olsen said he's enjoying the freedom of playing on the outside this year. He broke into the league as a flank attacker but had played mostly as a holding midfielder over the last couple of seasons.

"Tommy has given me a lot of freedom," Olsen said. "I'm just kind of scrapping around out there. . . . And let's face it, I've got a lot of good players around me at this point. I'm just cleaning up scraps in a lot of cases."

Even with a significant defensive change, United managed its fifth shutout in six league matches. Soehn listed Bobby Boswell in the starting lineup for the first time in an MLS match since Aug. 9. He replaced Devon McTavish, who had partnered with Greg Vanney for United's last three matches in central defense.

Soehn said the change was all about United's packed schedule and the desire to rest players and utilize the roster. Luciano Emilio returned to the lineup after missing a win Aug. 25 over Toronto with a hamstring strain. And Olsen was back on the field after resting against Toronto.

His early goal Saturday looked a little like the long-range stunner earlier this year against the New York Red Bulls. Midfielder Clyde Simms raced in to intercept a slightly wobbly clearance from Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala. Instead of just knocking the ball back toward an FC Dallas defender, he directed it right at Olsen -- the kind of aggressive play that helps make United 17-2-6 when he starts.

Olsen took one touch and bounced his volley just inside the far post.

"I think I surprised the goalie a little," Olsen said. "I don't think he expected me to hit one from there."

Olsen's second goal officially was unassisted, although Emilio and Marc Burch played big roles. Burch had plenty of time to line up a service, which Emilio put on goal from the far post. Olsen converted the rebound from a sharp angle.

Burch also supplied the cross that led to United's goal less than two minutes into the second half. Dallas's Chris Gbandi made a mess of what should have been an easy clearance, leaving Gomez to exploit the chance for his sixth goal this year.

Fred's goal in the 50th minute quashed any comeback ideas.

"We're playing really well right now whether we're at home or on the road," Soehn said. "We're moving the ball well and we're being opportunistic."