After a disappointing—yet somewhat unsurprising—road loss to Houston last week, D.C. United returned to venerable RFK Stadium for their home opener on Saturday evening, where they defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 to extend their unbeaten streak at home to 19 matches.

Both clubs had their share of the ball in a mostly uneventful first half, but United started to seize the momentum toward the end of the opening 45 minutes. The 17,072 fans in attendance were finally rewarded for their patience in 60th minute. United midfielder John Thorrington gathered an RSL clearance about 25 yards from the goal and immediately sent an ambitious chip shot back toward Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who made a spectacular save. The ensuing rebound, however, found its way directly to United forward Lionard Pajoy, who nodded it home for the game’s only goal.

It was the kind of victory United fans have come to expect—a gritty, industrious effort, low on flair but high on mettle. Some thoughts on the match:

The Hero: It pains me to say this, but Pajoy. And it wasn’t really even about his game-winning goal—though he obviously deserves some credit for that—but rather his hold-up play. Throughout both halves, United’s oft-maligned striker played fairly well with his back to his defender, creating several dangerous chances: he was the link between Chris Korb and Chris Pontius in this lovely exchange, for example. He consistently pressured his defenders and did a more than adequate job on the defensive side of things.

Honorable Mention: United’s supporters groups, most notably La Norte, District Ultras and the Screaming Eagles. They created a massive, D.C.-themed pre-game tifo for everyone in attendance to enjoy. Pretty impressive by Major League Soccer standards. Here’s a very, very cool video United did about the Ultras and their creative process.

The Goat: Lionard Pajoy. Saturday evening’s performance was so quintessentially Pajoy. Take away his goal (which, frankly, he owes to Sebastian Velasquez, who kept him in an onside position) and the aforementioned hold-up play and he’s left with a flurry of missed opportunities. An impotent shot here, an extra step or moment of hesitation there; call me old-fashioned, but forwards should score goals with some level of consistency, and that’s just not what the 31-year old Colombian does. Pajoy seems to do just enough every game to stay in the starting 11, despite the presence of other options—United’s newest designated player, for example.

Perhaps most frustrating is Head Coach Ben Olsen’s continued commitment to the streaky attacker. When asked a rather pointed question about Pajoy’s inconsistency on Saturday evening, Olsen was quick to fire back: “He scored a goal tonight. The one that won the game. So you’re not going to get any knocks on Pajoy right now from me.”

You can’t have it all. A friend made the point after the match that “if Lionard Pajoy was a hold-up forward who scored plenty of goals, United wouldn’t be able to afford him.” And that’s true. But we can dream, right?

And his hair…let’s just not go there.

Moment of the Match: John Thorrington’s knee injury. This is a bit premature: Thorrington is scheduled to have an MRI examination at some point today and we’ll know then just how severe his injury is. But losing the midfielder could prove to be a costly blow for United. Olsen described Thorrington’s knock as “not season-ending” but in the same sentence went on to mention a possible medial collateral ligament issue, which, depending on the severity, can sideline a player for a few weeks or a few months or longer. Marcelo Saragosa seems to be a serviceable replacement in the interim, but it’s unfortunate to see Thorrington go down just as he was starting to build some chemistry alongside Perry Kitchen, who plays exceptionally well alongside a fellow holding mid.

The Rest: Salt Lake midfielder Kenny Mansally will most certainly hear from the league’s disciplinary committee after his Zidane-esque head-butt to the sternum of Perry Kitchen. United have been without the services of Dwayne DeRosario as he serves a two-game suspension for head-butting an opponent in a pre-season match. … Guatemalan forward Carlos Ruiz made his debut for the black and red, receiving a warm ovation from the United faithful, many of whom waved his native country’s blue and white flag. Though only on the field for 10 or so minutes, Ruiz put himself in dangerous spots and nearly found the back of the net. … Also, horse mask.