By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 9, 2008; E01

D.C. United President Kevin Payne is losing his patience with a team that continues to underachieve. Following last night's 2-0 loss to the Chicago Fire that was witnessed by the club's managing partners and new sponsors, Payne vented his frustration in an eerily quiet locker room at RFK Stadium.

"We have a personal accountability issue on the field," he said. "I hope that the players know; some of them probably don't, actually. There are certain players who play maybe 75 or 80 minutes out of 90, but they take off critical plays, and it happened tonight twice."

Those two sequences resulted in a goal by Justin Mapp late in the first half and another by Cuauhtémoc Blanco after the break, sending United (2-5) to its second shutout defeat in five days and leaving the club in last place in the MLS's Eastern Conference.

"We've got guys who think it is okay if you go out and put a good effort in for 30-35 minutes, the crowd cheers, everybody gets happy and then you fall asleep for a play and -- bang! -- you are down a goal," Payne said.

United exhibited more energy and intensity than in Sunday's dreary loss at Colorado, but the lack of understanding between players, critical mistakes and an inability to create scoring opportunities doomed the club before a crowd of 18,605. The Fire (5-1-1), which eliminated United from the playoffs two of the previous three years, won its third straight and overtook Columbus for first place.

United will play three of its next four games on the road, where it has lost all three league games and been outscored 8-0.

Despite the absence of injured midfielders Marcelo Gallardo (groin) and Fred (quadriceps), United built its attack reasonably well in the first half and pressed for an equalizer shortly after halftime. But all that possession did not translate into clear chances, and the only serious threat was Jaime Moreno's header off the crossbar in the 86th minute.

"In the final third [of the field], we lack creativity and that final punch," United Coach Tom Soehn said. "We have to make sure that killer instinct comes back."

Luciano Emilio, the reigning league MVP, was barely a factor again and striking partner Franco Niell provided little assistance. Without Gallardo, Moreno, a forward, had to drop into midfield and had only a mild influence on the match.

Rest assured, there was more from Payne. Addressing the winter overhaul of the roster following three consecutive playoff shortcomings, Payne said, "We made changes in the offseason because we were not happy and, if we have to, we will certainly make changes again."

Taking the initiative last night, United was efficient if not elegant, keeping possession, moving the ball quickly, utilizing the flanks and, out of character, driving several long bids at goalkeeper Jon Busch's net.

The Fire was not particularly threatening, but Blanco's menacing qualities kept United in a constant state of alert. By midway through the opening half, the pace had slowed to Chicago's liking. The Fire defense, which has conceded just three goals this season, closed down space in and around the penalty area as United's opportunities were fleeting.

In the 39th minute, Chicago seized the lead with a precision strike. Chris Rolfe served a high cross from the right flank toward the far side of the penalty area. Chad Barrett headed it back into open space, where an unmarked Mapp drilled a one-timer from 16 yards into the left side for his first goal of the season and 12th since being traded by D.C. in 2002.

Soehn singled out midfielder Santino Quaranta for the breakdown. Said Quaranta: "I didn't know nobody else would be behind me. As an attacking player, I was just trying to help defensively."

Mapp's strike so late in the half clearly deflated United, which, to that point, had the better of the all-around play despite failing to seriously test Busch. As the half ended, United defender Gonzalo Martínez smashed the ball in frustration from the center circle at the Chicago bench.

In the second half, United continued to falter within 25 yards and was of no threat on set pieces. The Fire had ample opportunity to double the lead, but Zach Wells made outstanding saves on Barrett three minutes apart and Gonzalo Segares missed the far corner by a foot or two.

Blanco administered the knockout blow in the 62nd, gliding 20 yards without resistance before swerving a 30-yarder into the far upper corner.

"It's very concerning. I asked the guys to come out with the effort and that improved a bit, but still over 90 minutes we broke down," Soehn said.

Added Moreno: "I don't know what to think anymore. We've got to turn it around. It's the only way."

United Notes: Despite his early-season problems, Emilio has received a substantial bonus payment and become the club's second designated player, the MLS guideline that allows teams to sign talent outside normal salary guidelines.

In a complicated deal, Emilio's original contract will remain intact and United will have to decide later this season whether to increase his base salary. If it declines, Emilio could be traded or sold abroad. Gallardo is United's other designated player. Each team received one slot, but D.C. acquired Colorado's in the Christian Gómez trade. . . .

Fire rookie Stephen King, a third-round pick from Maryland, entered in the 85th minute.