Last year, D.C. United disappointed their home crowd, bowing out of the playoffs to the Chicago Fire. Defensive lapses led to an astonishing 4 goals conceded. The offense sputtered, taking only 9 shots to the Fire's 15. Play turned ugly as 4 United players were booked for misconduct. The loss was an embarrassment on all levels.

Yesterday, United's play beared absolutely no resemblance to last year's debacle. A swarming defense allowed one shot on goal all night. A tenacious attack generated 18 shots (8 on target) and nine corner kicks. United's players remained focused throughout the game, and not one found his way into the referee's book. On all levels, United conceiveably played their best game in months. Unfortunately for the 19,552 in attendance, the final result was the same as last year's: a disappointing home loss in the playoffs.

From the opening minutes, it was apparent that United had rid themselves of the listless and lethargic play that had marred the second half of the season. They displayed crisp passing and a desire to crash loose balls. Their renewed confidence made it all the more surprising when the Revolution stunned them with a goal in the fourth minute.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson. See more at the match photogallery.

With Clint Dempsey out with an injury, the Revolution relied on their other two attacking stars to generate their goal. After Pat Noonan was sent down the right wing, United sent Facundo Erpen and Bobby Boswell to subdue the forward. Before the pair could get to him, he sent a cross in to Taylor Twellman, left in single coverage with Bryan Namoff.

Because Namoff was playing several feet in front of Twellman, the Revolution striker was afforded plenty of space when he took several steps back to meet the ball, turned, and one-timed it into the net as he was falling backwards. It was a spectacular finish for one of MLS's top attacking players.

The goal quieted the RFK crowd, but did not seem to dishearten the home team. They played with vigor and determination, controlling the ball while remaining focused on their attack. Problems that had plagued them in the last two months were non-existent. Instead of spraying long balls and hoping for a mistake from the opposing defense, United strung together passes, made overlapping runs down the wings, and attacked the heart of the defense.

Jaime Moreno spent far less time with his back to the goal than he had recently, aggresively running at defenders all night. After months of injury and frustration on the field, Alecko Eskandarian was able to find himself touches and get a pair of shots on target. Most impressive offensively was Ben Olsen. Though he was faithful to his defensive duties, the midfielder was dangerous on the ball, creating chances all night with his attacking runs and precision passing.

Olsen had one of his most incisive runs in the 44th minute, when he streaked into the New England penalty area and laid the ball to Moreno, standing at the top edge of the box. Shalrie Joseph recklessly tackled the United forward, and the referee signaled for a foul. Though replays showed that the foul should have merited a penalty kick, the referee spotted the ball just outside of the box. Christian Gomez sent the free kick into the wall and United headed to the locker room for halftime.

The second half yielded more of the same for United: heaps of possession, several chances at goal, yet no successful conversions. Their most promising chance came by way of Freddy Adu, who found space at the top of the box to fire a blistering shot towards the upper-left corner of the net. It took an electrifying save from goalkeeper Matt Reis to prevent United from scoring.

Despite Adu's shot and his generally solid play, coach Peter Nowak went to the bench in the 65th minute to replace him with Matias Donnet. Freddy could be seen with his head in his hands for much of the game, visibly dejected. Nowak explained that the move was tactical; he was looking for a spark from the fresh legs of Donnet.

With Adu out, the Revolution defense clogged the middle of the field and willingly let United work their way down the wings. The strategy proved to be effective, as United's numerous crosses could not find a suitable target.

By the 75th minute, the United's continuous offensive pressure appeared to wear down their attacking players. Olsen, Eskandarian, and Gomez were visibly exhausted; the latter two having to be subbed out. With United's chief playmakers disabled, the Revolution fell into a defensive shell for the remaining minutes and prevented the home team from scoring the equalizer.

After the game, Nowak accepted the loss while praising his players.

We should be really proud of how we entered the field and how we played tonight. It's just meant to be. So many chances - creative play, everything was in place except the goal... I can't ask for more from my players. It's disappointing, but we have to move on. It was an unbelievable year for all of us.

United's players will have plenty of time to reflect upon what has been an eventful season, a season that should look better with the passing of time. With potential departures looming (Adu via transfer, others through the expansion draft), the team would do well to really take in what a special season they put together. After the wounds from yesterday's loss scab over, D.C. United should feel nothing but pride.