The big sports story of this weekend for area sports fans is going to be the inspiring play of the George Mason men’s basketball team as they compete for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Still, we hope that you will spare a thought for your DC United, who open their 2006 season Sunday at RFK Stadium against the New York Red Bulls. Ugh. Yes, DC, the MLS team you love to hate just got…

DC United let one get away last night, losing to FC Dallas 4-1 on penalties in US Open Cup play at the soccer complex in Germantown, Maryland. United had hoped to advance to the Open Cup semifinals for the third time in five years, and appeared to be in control, up 1-0 in the final minute as Freddy Adu sliced deep into the Dallas defense and laid a pass off to an open Brian Carroll…