FC Dallas wins again, overpowers DC United

WASHINGTON — Carlos Ruiz stunned D.C. United with a 12-yard bicycle kick to break a scoreless tie early in the second half, then added a penalty kick 7 minutes later to lead FC Dallas to a 2-0 victory Saturday night.

Ruiz scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season as Western Conference leader Dallas won its third straight and tied a franchise record by running its unbeaten streak to five. Dallas is 6-0-1 when Ruiz gets a goal or assist.

Dallas' defense caused United to get shut out at RFK Stadium for the first time in nearly a year, when United drew 0-0 against Colorado on June 12, 2004. Scott Garlick was forced to make just three saves, all in the second half, in his 90th career MLS win, moving him past Tony Meola into sole possession of third on the all-time list.

Garlick's closest call came in the 86th minute, when he punched away a dribbler off the foot of Alecko Eskandarian.

United lost for the just the second time in their last 17 home games.

Ruiz was the hero, but he had a rough night in a game that included 42 fouls. He left the game on the stretcher in the 83rd minute, clutching his right ankle after a foul.

The game's first shot on goal didn't come until the 49th minute, but it was a thing of beauty. Ruiz, waiting a Roberto Mina's chipped pass from the other side of the box, flipped himself over for a lightning-quick right-footed shot that rocketed just inside the far post. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando didn't even move his feet and just shrugged his shoulders as the ball went past.

Ruiz got his second goal when he ran onto a pass and was taken down from behind by Bryan Namoff at the edge of the 6-yard box. United's players appealed for an offside call, but referee Ricardo Valenzuela awarded the penalty, which Ruiz converted easily inside the right post in the 56th minute.

United's Jaime Moreno hit the left post from close range in the 70th minute, but Dallas packed its defense late and thwarted attempts at a comeback.

METROSTARS 3, CREW 0: At Columbus, Youri Djorkaeff, Eddie Gavin and Abbe Ibrahim scored goals to help the MetroStars beat Columbus.

The MetroStars improved to 3-3-3, while Columbus dropped to 3-6-1. The Crew have an MLS-low seven goals and have been shut out six times in 10 games.

Djorkaeff opened the scoring in the 38th minute, firing a right-foot strike from 25 yards past goalkeeper Bill Gaudette and into the upper-left corner of the net.