D.C. United entered their match against FC Dallas on Saturday evening on a four-game unbeaten run. Dallas took the field having won four of their last five. Something, it would seem, would have to give.

United would ride a Fabian Espíndola brace and additional goals by Bobby Boswell and Sean Franklin to victory on Saturday, trouncing Dallas 4-1. Though Dallas certainly made things easy on D.C. — FCD defender Zach Loyd earned himself a red card late in the first half, forcing his side to play a man down for the remainder of the match — it was indeed a comprehensive victory for D.C.

So, a four-goal performance and a five-game unbeaten streak. Let’s put that in perspective.

During their historically awful 2013 campaign, it took United a full five months to collect three victories, which they did in early August. At no point in 2013 did they score four goals in a single match.

Fabian Espindola — who notched his third and fourth goals of the year on Saturday night — has already eclipsed the trio of players who led United in scoring in 2013, with three goals apiece. Just seven games into their 34-game season, D.C. has amassed 10 goals, nearly half of their total for all of last year.

I could go on. The point is that United has continued to progress. There is, for the first time in quite a while, hope at RFK stadium.

I’ll spare you the play-by-play. Take a look at the highlight package, and then we’ll chat about the performance:

Man of the Match: This is an easy one. Fabian Espíndola had a pair of goals and an assist, and he looked good doing it. He has proved to be United’s most valuable pickup of the offseason to this point. He plays with the type of hunger that D.C. so badly lacked in 2013.

While his goal late in the game was a beauty, his assist on United’s third strike was something to behold.

Honorable Mentions: Bobby Boswell, who was again solid defensively and even managed to get on the scoresheet. Boswell has been unexpectedly productive on the offensive side of things this year. Chris Rolfe also put in a solid shift.

Meh: Cristian Fernández. United’s left back did poorly on Dallas’ lone strike of the evening, overcommitting and flying right by FCD midfielder Mauro Diaz in the twelfth minute. Though he’s looked decent coming forward — and most members of United’s front office will tell you that he was acquired more for his offensive capabilities than his defensive traits — Fernández has looked like a defensive liability more than once in 2014.

Moment of the Match: Zach Loyd’s 39th minute ejection. Loyd’s rash, studs-up challenge on Davy Arnaud could’ve easily been a straight red card, but referee Fotis Bazakos saw it fit to punish Loyd with a yellow. Thankfully for United, it was his second of the match.

Everything changed when Loyd saw himself out. Dallas’ opener had taken the air out of United and their fans, and D.C.’s would’ve done well to even get a draw down a goal against (arguably) the best team in the league. Up a man, United ran rampant.

The Rest: Bill Hamid returned from injury, putting in a solid performance in his first appearance in three matches … Loyd wasn’t the only Dallas player to be sent off, as Michel would receive his marching orders in second half stoppage time after swatting at United midfielder Chris Rolfe … Next up for United: A match on the road at Portland (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET)