D.C. United played out a relatively dull and featureless 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night, but the real celebrations would come on Sunday night. The Colorado Rapids scored in the final minutes to pull out an upset over Chivas USA, 2-1, making D.C. United the first team to ever successfully defend the Supporters’ Shield.

It probably wasn’t the stylish way United will have wanted to take the regular season crown, but with only one more regular season game remaining – at home against Columbus on Saturday – it won’t matter. They’ve now sewed up the loose ends, and they can give some of their lesser-used reserves a game of fitness and experience before the real season begins. After two tired showings, Coach Tom Soehn will be happy to grant Ben Olsen, Christian Gomez, Fred, and Luciano Emilio a week off.

But, taken optimistically, Saturday’s tie was a tactical battle and proved that United – so often characterized by a fluid passing attack – can grind out a result when required. Not particularly enticing soccer, maybe, but United contained the Fire’s high profile signings Mexican superstar Cuahtemoc Blanco and Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope with relative ease.

The game wasn’t without a handful of anxious moments for the home team. Fire forward Chad Barrett was a good compliment to the style and flair of Wanchope and Blanco, challenging everything and taking the game to D.C. defenders Devon McTavish and Greg Vanney. In the 20th minute, Chris Rolfe played in to Barrett, who created some space to operate inside the penalty area and fired a low shot that D.C. keeper Troy Perkins had to get down to smother.