He'd never admit it, but you know that somewhere, sometime before the start of the season, D.C. United coach Tom Soehn looked at his team's busy schedule for the first month of the season, and then said a small bit of thanks for who they were playing. Of their first five MLS games, they were scheduled to play exactly one playoff team from last season. They had home games against perennially struggling Columbus, anemic Toronto, and generally woeful Real Salt Lake. Exactly the kind of schedule you want to open up the season. But after a 4-0 thrashing on the road in Salt Lake City, and a lackluster 2-1 home defeat to the Crew, the reigning Supporters Shield holders went into Saturday night's home rematch with Real in last place and badly needing a win.

Real, for that matter, were struggling too, their only win being the shellacking of United two weeks before. And for the first 25 minutes or so, they frustrated the hell out of United's superstar front three of Emilio, Moreno, and Gallardo, while managing to lump a few long balls into the back post for their big Scottish forward Kenny Deuchar to try and direct towards goal. It may not have been particularly interesting, but given United's known defensive frailties, it wasn't the worst strategy.

Ultimately, though, the better team began to impose itself. United were possessing deeper and deeper in RSL's half, swinging the ball back and forth with ease. It finally came to Quaranta, whose outswinging delivery ran past everyone but fell to Burch. He tried to play back into the area but former D.C. midfield terrier Dema Kovalenko blocked with his hand, and it was penalty to United. Moreno's kick was about as cheeky as they come -- just as RSL keeper Nick Rimando dove to his right, Moreno delicately chipped the ball right down the middle. If Rimando had closed his eyes and stood still, it would've hit him in the stomach.

After halftime, RSL faded as United grew stronger. Gallardo was still having trouble finding space, but there was plenty on the flanks where Santino Quaranta was marauding up and down the right, having his way with Real left back Ian Joy. D.C. were ever-dangerous on the counter, too, and it produced a second goal when Moreno slid a ball into Emilio, whose deft turn forced Talley to bring him down for a second penalty. Moreno stepped up again and, with Rimando determined not to look foolish, blasted it into the top left corner for 2-0. Down two goals, Salt Lake were forced to actually attack. A few typically sloppy defensive moments from United gave the visitors a free kick, but Morales bending shot clanked squarely on Zach Wells's right-hand post and got cleared to safety.

That was about it, and D.C. duly put the game away in the 68th minute with a sublime goal. Moreno picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, dallied around a little bit, then looked up to find Quaranta making a sharp back post run. His lofted ball was perfect, and Quaranta tucked it away. But if that was the type of goal D.C.'s superiority merited, their fourth demonstrated that this might be a team just about to hit their stride. With the score 3-1, Moreno again slotted the ball through to Marc Burch. Burch's cross was long and high and found Gallardo lurking just a couple yards off the end-line at the back post. From an impossible angle, Gallardo volleyed first-time past a helpless Rimando and into the far corner. 4-1 to DCU.

It may have been an insurance goal against a bad team (and do not let that 4-0 loss fool you -- Real is a bad team), but it was just the bit of playmaking flair D.C.'s been lacking to start the season. The rest of the game fizzled out -- though Kovalenko got tired of playing soccer and decided to pick a squabble with Gallardo -- but the fans left RFK on Saturday night hoping United is starting to turn into the kind of attacking, confident team we've grown to expect around here.

United Notes: Both Quaranta and Gallardo are nominated for Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Week. They've got some stiff competition, so vote on the MLS website here... DCU is packaging tickets to five games as its "MLS Stars" series. Packages start at $116 and include tickets to DC's June 29 game vs. David Beckham and the LA Galaxy.