Both DC United and the Portland Timbers came into this heat delayed game fighting for the final playoff spots in their respective conferences. United sat 2 points out of 6th in the East with a record of 4 ties and 2 losses in their last 6 games.
United started this game without their first team coach, as Ben Olsen was suspended following his ejection from the game against Philadelphia the week before. But United and their stand in head coach Chad Ashton came roaring out of the blocks, and didn't give up.
In the 7th minute a Lloyd Sam corner skimmed the head of Bobby Boswell, falling perfectly for Steve Birnbaum to sidefoot the ball into the back of the net.
Every time Portland attempted to attack, the United defenders stood firm...
...even flying through the air acrobatically.
United relentlessly attacked...
In the 29th minute, 3 minutes after Bill Hamid had deflected a Portland shot onto the crossbar, Luciano Acosta found himself, in the Portland penalty area, on the end of a pass from Patrick Mullins...
...which he duly converted to double United's lead.
United continued their dominance throughout the rest of the game...
...but were unable to put the ball in the net again, although Mullins came very close.
...as did Nick DeLeon
So the game ended 2-0 leaving Portland dejected, United in 6th position in the East...
...and United coach Davy Arnaud smiling on the day that the team celebrated his playing career.