Olsen's Late Goal Salvages a Tie for United

United 1, Revolution 1

It should not have been this difficult, not with D.C. United at nearly full strength and the injury-depleted New England Revolution fielding a patchwork lineup. But after squandering several opportunities and yielding an unforgivable goal early in the second half, United needed a late header by Ben Olsen to earn a 1-1 tie before 14,441 at RFK Stadium last night.

Returning to the lineup after resting his troublesome ankle last weekend, Olsen headed Jaime Moreno's free kick just inside the right post and off defender Pat Phelan 10 seconds into the two minutes of added time to rescue United (1-1-3) from what would have been a devastating defeat.

"It's the 90th minute, we're down, so everyone is pushing up," said Olsen, who missed almost all of last season and had not scored in an MLS match since Sept. 1, 2007. "I jumped in there, a good ball came back post, and it was lucky to sneak in there. I don't know what happened."

With the pass, Moreno became the first player in MLS history to reach 100 goals and 100 assists. As he served the ball from the left side beyond the penalty area, Olsen broke away momentarily from his marker, Wells Thompson, and nodded the ball from an acute angle three yards away. Phelan's attempt to steer it out of danger with his upper body failed and the ball dropped just over the goal line.

"Thankfully Ben got on the end of something," United Coach Tom Soehn said, "but overall you leave disappointed because we had plenty of opportunities to take three points and we let it slip."

United outshot the Revolution, 20-4, and had six corner kicks during an expertly performed first half, but five minutes after intermission, Shalrie Joseph scored on a header for New England (2-0-2).

By that point, Soehn had plenty of reasons to be upset. Poor marking allowed two Revolution players to challenge one D.C. player (Andrew Jacobson) for position in front of the goal and head Steve Ralston's cross.

United also had a substitution issue just before the second half started. Soehn had already committed to inserting Santino Quaranta on the left flank, when defensive midfielder Clyde Simms, the team's ironman last year, told the coach that he was too ill to continue.

Simms said afterward that he had been sick all day but didn't tell the coaching staff until the end of halftime.

"I would have never done the first sub, so he put us in a little bit of a bad spot," Soehn said. "If we are in the locker room, we have a lot of time to figure that stuff out. He has got to let me know right then so we can adjust."

United's problems compounded with still 30 minutes left, when Soehn had to make another move. Playmaker Christian Gómez, who was enjoying his finest game of the season, limped off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Fred. Later, despite a leg problem, Moreno had to remain in the game because United had exhausted its three substitutions.

Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton, in his third career start, made a superb save on Moreno in the second half and was fortunate that United rookie Chris Pontius sent two clear chances sailing over the crossbar. He was also tested by Olsen from distance in the first half and watched Rodney Wallace's cross skid dangerously through the six-yard box.