D.C. United’s wide open style of play came back to bite them on Saturday when they gave up three goals in the second half. In doing so they snatched a draw from the jaws of victory, earning themselves a 3-3 tie on an otherwise lovely night at RFK. After scoring early in the first half and adding another goal just before the halftime whistle, United looked fully in control after another score by Luciano Emilio in the 47th minute, but instead, that’s where the night started going downhill.

Eight minutes after Emilio’s second half strike, Jaime Moreno was subbed out for Guy-Roland Kpene after sustaining a hamstring injury. It’s worth noting that it wasn’t until after Moreno left the game that Dallas started threatening United’s goal. Poor defensive positioning and out-and-out bad play from the back line lead to two Dallas goals. Juan Toja’s game-tying goal in the 81st minute seemed more anti-climactic than anything. To United’s credit, they quickly regrouped and put the pressure back on Dallas, trying everything they could for the game winner, but it was not to be.

Moreno, for his part, looked like a man 10-years younger during the first half, roaming all over the field and controlling the play wherever he went. It’s a shame he wasn’t able to finish what he started. Though Troy Perkins’ gaffes led directly to two of the Dallas goals, Greg Vanney continued his poor play along the back line, continuously committing the types of errors Facundo Erpen was regularly vilified for. Brian Carroll wasn’t much better. Is it to early to declare 2007 an off year for him?

So where does this leave United? With plenty of questions at the MLS All-Star break. Their next match isn’t until July 22nd in New Jersey against the Red Bulls. The schedule doesn’t get any easier from there, with three Super Liga games (including one against Houston) in the span of eight days before a trip to New England.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson