Despite having to fend off a persistent Chivas Guadalajara attack for most of the game and playing a man down for 50 minutes, United pulled out a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Copa Nissan Sudamericana home-and-home series.

From the get-go the Goats took advantage of quick, incisive passing to carve through the United midfield. Four times in the opening 16 minutes Chivas attackers had a clear line to the goal, yet they were unable to capitalize.

Though Chivas exhibited more aggression at first, United started to make more dangerous runs with the ball. Fred gave the Goats' defense fits with his jackrabbit-like cuts and dribbling, while Jaime Moreno used deceptive first touches to beat his markers.

Reigning MLS Most Valuable Player Christian Gomez stepped up to make the best run of all. The Argentinean streaked through the midfield, changed speeds effectively, and maneuvered into the penalty box before making a smart pass to Fred. Though the Brazilian's cross barely missed Moreno and Luciano Emilio, its clearance landed the ball at the feet of Ben Olsen. From 30 yards out, the midfielder snapped a bounding shot past the reach of goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michelle.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson

Chivas continued to press United's defense, and in the 44th minute, their attack grew stronger as defender Marc Burch was sent off for accumulating a second yellow card. Coach Tom Soehn didn't make a substitution at halftime, opting instead to drop Fred and Olsen a more defensive role.

The move seemed unwise, as Chivas continually exploited Burch's vacancy in the left side of United's defense. For the opening ten minutes of the half, United rarely held the ball for more than a couple passes. In spite of these difficulties, the home team managed to score again.

Receiving the ball with little offensive support, Gomez initiated a seemingly hopeless counterattack in the 54th minute. He doggedly maintained possession as three defenders converged on him, eventually drawing a foul. Though his ensuing free kick attempt hit the wall of Chivas defenders, it squirted to Clyde Simms, who one-timed a low shot into the right corner of the net.

Chivas had already displayed considerable attacking prowess. With a two goal deficit, they went into overdrive. Their persistence was rewarded in the 61st minute when Xavier Ivan Baez beat the offsides trap and raced down the right wing. His square ball into the box was met by Sergio Santana, who finished cleanly from close range.

In the remaining 30 minutes, Chivas dominated possession and chances on goal. United's midfield and defense were beat numerous times by the speedy, skillful Chivas forwards and wings, but each time a United player would step up, close in, or clear the ball. GK Troy Perkins made the saves he needed, and Greg Vanney organized the defense expertly.

As the seconds ticked down to the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, D.C. United collectively exhaled. The crowd erupted, and the volume of the celebration belied the composition of the crowd; as many as half of the 21,022 at RFK Stadium were clad in Chivas or Mexico jerseys. The United supporters' exuberance was justified. The win avenged this March's loss to Chivas in the CONCACAF Champion's Cup semifinal. It also reflected United's growing confidence.

Coach Tom Soehn will seek to preserve this confidence in the coming month, when the MLS Cup Playoffs coincide with the Copa Sudamericana. His goals for the team left little to interpretation.

In any competition and any game you're in, you're looking to win. Obviously there's as much of an importance in winning tournament games as there [is in the] playoffs. We pride ourselves in being successful in whatever encounter we take, and it's just as important that we were successful here.

United return to the Chivas' Estadio Jalisco on Tuesday for their away leg of the series.