Perkins, a few minutes later, made a nice save on a shot by Eskandarian. In the closing minutes of the first half, Perkins made a diving save to his right that stopped a shot by Gomez. Seconds later, Rimando made a leaping save on a free kick by Gomez to keep the score tied at 1.

Rimando came up big again early in the first half, when he dove to his left to stop a penalty kick by Gomez. RSL dodged another bullet minutes later, when a goal by United was not allowed since the home side was offsides. But United eventually got the goal it needed for the win in a physical match involving players that know each other well.

"I think the refereeing was inconsistent on both sides," Kreis said.

But RSL is now 1-8-3 on the road this season.

NOTES: RSL defender Eddie Pope, a former United standout who did not play, was honored before the game. He was given a caricature of himself in action, and a video tribute included words from former United and U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena, among others.