Page 20C

United cools off MetroStars with 3-2 overtime win

By Peter Brewington

and Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON -- D.C. United rode an emotional roller coaster Wednesday night.

First its playoff hopes were alive, then dead. Finally they lived when substitute forward A.J. Wood redirected teammate Richie Williams' shot past sprawling New York/New Jersey MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Amman in the 99th minute to give United a 3-2 overtime win.

United, a three-time Major League Soccer champion, improved to 6-13-6. Team officials say D.C. needs to win all seven of its remaining games to have a chance at the playoffs. United has two road games coming up against key playoff contenders: Saturday vs. Miami and Aug. 12 vs. Dallas.

United took a 2-1 lead on Jaime Moreno's goal in the 68th minute and almost had several other goals.

With United dominating the second half, it looked like Moreno's goal would ice it. He took a long chip from Marco Etcheverry on the right side and raced in on defender Thomas Dooley. Although Dooley got his foot on the ball, Moreno got it back and sent an angled shot across the goal past Amman.

But New York forced overtime when Steve Shak broke up the right side and found Billy Walsh for the tying goal in the 87th minute.

New York (13-8-2) had a great chance in overtime when Adolfo Valencia uncorked a bullet from 22 yards, forcing a diving save from United goalkeeper Mark Simpson.

The loss ended New York's nine-game unbeaten streak.

The game's start was delayed 34 minutes because both teams came out in similar jerseys. United had to send its equipment van back 30 miles through the heart of Washington rush hour to team headquarters in Herndon, Va., to retrieve other jerseys.

Burn 2, Revolution 1: Bobby Rhine scored one goal and set up a second to give Dallas a victory against New England.

In the 21st minute, Revolution defender Mauricio Wright failed to control a cross from Mark Santel. The ball went off Wright's chest to the feet of Rhine, who drilled the ball in from about 10 yards.

Fire 1, Mutiny 0: Ante Razov scored on a penalty kick to lead Chicago past Tampa Bay, moving the Fire into a first-place tie with the Mutiny in the Central Division.

Razov's penalty shot got past goalkeeper Scott Garlick in the 67th minute after Joe Addo was called for tripping Josh Wolff.

Wizards 3, Rapids 1: Kerry Zavagnin scored two minutes into the game, a club record for the quickest goal from the start of a game, as Kansas City defeated Colorado.

Crew 2, Earthquakes 1: Mike Lapper scored in the 43rd minute and Brian McBride added a goal seven minutes later as Columbus won at San Jose.