First Goal Doesn't Hold Up

United Settles for Tie, Remains Atop Eastern Conference: United 1, Crew 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 4 -- D.C. United settled for its ninth tie Saturday, another unfulfilled opportunity in a season that continues to lack true direction.

United was superior most of the holiday evening, taking the lead on Christian Gómez's goal in the 33rd minute, humming on the attack despite the absence of four key players and restricting the impact of Columbus Crew star Guillermo Barros Schelotto. But United's authority didn't translate into a second goal, and after conceding Alejandro Moreno's equalizer early in the second half, D.C. was stuck with a 1-1 draw before 14,370 spectators.

Ties on the road are usually deemed satisfactory, but despite this result against the reigning MLS champions to maintain at least a share of first place in the Eastern Conference, United (5-3-9, 24 points) was in no mood to rejoice.

"The majority of those ties, we have been the better team," midfielder Ben Olsen said of United, which, with 13 matches remaining, is one tie from equalizing the most in club history. "But this isn't a game of judges or scorecards; it's about the results, and we are finding ways to let these ties happen."

The outcome allowed the Crew (5-3-8, 23) to stay within a point of United and extend its regular season home unbeaten streak to 17, one short of the MLS record set by San Jose four years ago.

"We had the bulk of the play and the bulk of the chances," United Coach Tom Soehn said. "We've got to put a couple of those chances away. You walk away from this one disappointed because tactically we achieved what we wanted to and there was a lot of space to play."

Despite the absence of injured forwards Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno and U.S. national team call-up Santino Quaranta, United outshot the Crew 22-9, including 15-3 in the second half, and had 11 on goal against goalkeeper Will Hesmer, who made a pair of nice saves but mishandled several attempts.

United was also without central defender Dejan Jakovic (Canadian national team), whose proxy was Greg Janicki. Janicki doesn't have Jakovic's polish and instincts but offered a quality performance along with Marc Burch and Bryan Namoff in the three-man back line. Olsen spent the night badgering Schelotto, the reigning league MVP and top scorer this year with 10 goals.

The Crew wasn't at full strength either: Chad Marshall, the anchor of its back line, and crafty winger Robbie Rogers are with the U.S. squad for at least two weeks.

After a quiet start, United's attack gained traction. Thabiso Khumalo's sly bid on a curling ball from the flank nearly beat Hesmer to the near corner. United maintained pressure and was rewarded in the 33rd.

Hesmer made a fine right-footed save on Clyde Simms, but the ball fell to Ange N'Silu on the right side. His cross to the far post connected with Chris Pontius, whose downward header across the six-yard box was touched -- but not cleared -- by Danny O'Rourke.

Gómez took advantage, coolly slotting a seven-yard shot into the left corner for his fourth goal of the year and third in the past four league matches. It marked the 12th time United has scored first, and the sixth instance the lead later dissolved into a tie.

After halftime, United kept its grip on the match. Its masterful possession game, spearheaded by Gómez, befuddled the Crew and led to additional opportunities. The inability to extend the lead, however, proved costly in the 59th minute. Emmanuel Ekpo crossed to substitute Steven Lenhart, who flicked the ball to the unmarked Alejandro Moreno at the edge of the six-yard box. Moreno settled it with his mid-section and struck a low shot past Josh Wicks for his third goal.

"Moreno slipped his man and crept to the back, which he is good at," Wicks said.

Both sides probed for a go-ahead goal, but increasing hostility -- four yellow cards and several rough challenges -- disrupted the flow. As time wound down, things opened up again and Lenhart's one-timer just missed the near corner.

"We created enough opportunities, and the opportunities were there to finish off," Soehn said. "We've got to start getting better at it. Ties aren't good enough."

United Notes: Jakovic played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 Gold Cup victory over Jamaica on Friday in Carson, Calif. Quaranta did not start for the United States on Saturday against Grenada but was on the game-day roster. . . . Fred, recovered from an adductor injury, entered in the 55th minute for Khumalo. Rookie midfielder Brandon Barklage replaced N'Silu in the 86th.