MLS Standings 2012: D.C. United Still In The MLS Playoff Picture

Fresh off their 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, D.C. United remains in the MLS playoff picture. They are currently holding the fifth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

While they have just a three point lead over the Montreal Impact for the No. 5 spot, United's points per game is much higher than that of the Impact. United has racked up 36 points in 22 games, good for 1.64 points per game. The Impact have 33 points, but have played 26 games and are only averaging 1.27 points per game.

United has played the fewest games of any of the current top-five Eastern Conference seeds. With 12 games to go, they could challenge for the fourth seed, or even the third seed with strong results.

They came away with zero points Saturday against Sporting Kansas City, who moved into the top spot in the East with the win. Sporting Kansas City jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute before United tied it just 10 minutes later on a Nick DeLeon goal. However, they weren't able to add to that goal, and Sporting Kansas City took the final 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute.

United will try to move up in the standings this week when they play the No. 9 Philadelphia Union at home on Sunday.

For more on D.C. United, be sure to visit Black And Red United. For all things MLS, be sure to check out SB Nation's dedicated soccer hub.

D.C. United Vs. Sporting Kansas City: Graham Zusi's Goal Leads Sporting Past United

Graham Zusi scored in the 63rd minute as Sporting Kansas City defeated D.C. United 2-1 and assumed the top spot in MLS' Eastern Conference Saturday night at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City.

Zusi's winning goal came after the midfielder did remarkably well to control a Kei Kamara cross on the right side of D.C. United's penalty area. The former Maryland Terrapin managed to control the ball before firing the ball through the onrushing Bill Hamid and into the net.

The loss leaves United stuck on 36 points with 22 games played, good enough for 4th place in the Eastern Conference behind Houston (40 points), New York (41 points), and Sporting Kansas City (43 points). All of the teams in front of United have played two more games than the Black-And-Red.

United resumes league play next Sunday afternoon with a home match against the Philadelphia Union. That game will kick off at 5:00 p.m.

For more on D.C. United, be sure to visit Black And Red United. For the Sporting KC point of view, check out The Daily Wiz. For all things MLS, be sure to check out SB Nation's dedicated soccer hub.

D.C. United Vs. Sporting KC Halftime Update: United, Kansas City Tied At One

Sporting Kansas City got on the scoreboard first -- a goal from forward Teal Bunbury in the 13th minute. Ten minutes later, though, Nick DeLeon found the back of the net as well, his fourth of the season, to level the match. So at halftime, D.C. United and Sporting KC are tied at one goal apiece at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City where the United have not won since 2007.

D.C. United has struggled a bit to keep pace with Kansas City, though. KC has 11 shots, four on goal, compared to just five and two from the Black-and-Red.

For video of DeLeon's goal at the 23rd minute, visit DCUnited.com.

Continued coverage of the second half can be seen on CSN Washington.

For more on D.C. United, be sure to visit Black And Red United. For the Sporting KC point of view, check out The Daily Wiz. For all things MLS, be sure to check out SB Nation's dedicated soccer hub.

D.C. United Vs. Sporting KC: Dwayne De Rosario Will Not Play Saturday, According To Report

D.C. United takes on Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night at Livestrong Sporting Park, but the Black-and-Red will have to do so without star Dwayne De Rosario. Via Stephen Goff of the Washington Post:

D.C. United Coach Ben Olsen says Dwayne De Rosario won't play tonight because of a shoulder injury #dcu #mls

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 11, 2012

De Rosario originally injured his shoulder in the first half of last Saturday's match with the Columbus Crew. As Goff notes in a follow-up tweet, De Rosario is the only member of D.C. United to have previously played in all 21 MLS matches.

The game will kickoff at 8:30 p.m. EST and be shown in the DC area on Comcast Sportsnet.

For more on D.C. United, be sure to visit Black And Red United. For the Sporting KC point of view, check out The Daily Wiz. For all things MLS, be sure to check out SB Nation's dedicated soccer hub.

D.C. United Vs. Sporting KC: United Look For First Win In Kansas City Since 2007

D.C. United (11-7-3) hits the road on Saturday, traveling to Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City to take on Sporting KC (12-7-4).