MLS Standings 2012: United In 5th Place After Tie With Union

D.C. United bounced back from a tough loss against the Columbus Crew and played to a draw with the Philadelphia Union on Sunday.

In what was a very chippy and card-filled match, United was able to secure a point despite the disappointment of not getting three. Dwayne de Rosario had the points on his foot in the 89th minute but missed a penalty kick. (He scored on his first attempt, but encroachment was called.)

D.C. will also be without defender Emiliano Dudar on Wednesday for its match against the Chicago Fire, due to his receiving of a red card in extra time.

With the dust finally settling, United remains in a playoff spot by their collective fingernails with 37 points. D.C. is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Chicago by four points with a game-in-hand.

The Montreal Impact are in sixth with 36 points, but have played four matches more than United.

For more on D.C. United, please be sure to check out our blog Black And Red United along with SB Nation DC for all the latest news and updates.

VIDEO: D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union: Mark Geiger's Terrible Afternoon

D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union Recap: Own Goal, Missed Penalty Leads to Draw

D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union played to a 1-1 tie in RFK Stadium Sunday night. The Union's Brian Carroll scored in the eighth minute and despite a number of chances on both sides, that held until an own goal by Amobi Okugo in the 71st minute.

United saw a huge opportunity slip away, as they were given a penalty kick after Chris Pontius drew a foul in the box. Dwayne De Rosario knocked in the kick, but encroachment was called and a second kick was taken after a scuffle between the two sides. The second kick was missed.

Freddy Adu made the defensive play of the night, with a header save off the line on a corner kick after the ball got past Union goalie Zac MacMath just before the halftime whistle. The United dominated the action, with 20 attempts on goal to the Union's 10. They also won the possession battle 60% to 40%.

The match was chippy, especially towards the end. Five yellow cards were issued in total. Two United players were sent off in the final minutes, as Branko Boskovic and Emiliano Dudar were both shown red cards.

With the point, United move into the fifth in the Eastern Conference Standings, breaking a tie with the Montreal Impact.

For more on United, head over to Black And Red United. For all things soccer, visit SB Nation's Soccer hub.

D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union: United Behind After Brian Carroll Goal

D.C. United are on the verge of a second straight loss and fourth in their last five after Brian Carroll's 8th-minute goal put the Philadelphia Union in front, 1-0 at halftime Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium.

Carroll's goal came after United failed to clear a free kick by Freddy Adu. At one point, the ball took a wicked deflection off the head of Perry Kitchen and bounced right to Carroll, who prodded the ball past Bill Hamid while standing right at the near post.

United almost equalized a couple of minutes later, but Lionard Pajoy's header from a Dwayne De Rosario corner kick was tipped over the bar by Zac MacMath. Pajoy and Danny Cruz started for United and Philadelphia just three days after being swapped for each other in a trade that caught many MLS observers off guard.

United very nearly pulled even again with the last action of the half, but Adu was able to clear the chance off the line with his head.

For more on the DC United, visit Black and Red United and SB Nation DC. For the Philadelphia point of view, check out Brotherly Game.

D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union Game Time, TV Schedule, And More

Washington has not lost in RFK Stadium since a 1-0 outing against Sporting Kansas City on March 10. Since then, United have gone on an impressive 8-0-2 run at their home on East Capitol Street, something that has put them in contention for a berth in the MLS playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Such a berth is far from guaranteed, though, as United have upcoming matches against Chicago, New York, Montreal and Salt Lake to test their mettle and legitimize their playoff contention. First though, the Philadelphia Union, who travel to Washington to face D.C. United at 5:00 p.m. at RFK Stadium on the NBC Sports Network.

The Union has struggled on the road this season, amassing just a 2-7-1 record outside of Philadelphia. This, and D.C.'s recent acquiring of forward Lionard Pajoy from -- of all places -- Philadelphia, seem to favor United in this match at home heading into a particularly brutal stretch of the club's schedule.

Working against Washington, though, is a rash of injuries, including those to defenders Robbie Russell (foot) and Daniel Woolard (concussion). Also with a foot injury is forward Maicon Santos, the person whose minutes Lionard Pajoy should absorb in his new role.

Given the circumstances though, United head coach Ben Olsen seems cautiously optimistic about D.C.'s chances both today and in the immediate future.

We could be in better health to get through this stretch, but that doesn’t matter. We have to find a way to make sure we’re picking up points to put ourselves in a good spot. We’ve got to make it work.

For more on DC United, visit Black and Red United and SB Nation DC.

PHOTO: Frustrated D.C. United Fans Engage In Wikipedia Vandalism

Danny Cruz Trade Reaction: 'I Didn't Expect It This Morning'

D.C. United's trading of Danny Cruz to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for striker Lionard Pajoy took many people by surprise, not least Cruz himself, who spoke to the Washington Post's Steve Goff following the announcement of the trade.

Just spoke with Cruz: "I wasn't playing much, I was obviously unhappy, but didn't ask for trade. I didn't expect it this morning" #dcu #mls

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 16, 2012

Cruz: "I'm thankful to DC, no ill-will. Excited to join Philly with their unbelievable fan base" Driving up today, return to DC Sat/Sun

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) August 16, 2012

Goff had earlier tweeted that Cruz had been upset at a dropoff in playing time as this season had gone along.

Over at SB Nation's D.C. United blog Black and Red United, reaction to the trade was more ambiguous.

Cruz was considered one of the best "locker room guys" on a tight-knit squad, and following the Olympics Najar had drawn some interest from European clubs. On a team that can be a bit soft defensively, Cruz adds bite and fearlessness that few in MLS can match ... However, Pajoy's resume and performance have left some observers (including yours truly) skeptical. Consider MLSsoccer's headline: "Philadelphia deal struggling Pajoy to DC United for Cruz."

Some United fans were even less enthused by the trade, as this Wikipedia screenshot from SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog Brotherly Game shows. Cruz and Pajoy will be available for selection by their respective new bosses in Sunday afternoon's meeting between the rivals, which can be seen on NBC Sports Network, with kickoff at 5:00 p.m.

For more on D.C. United, visit Black And Red United. For the Philadelphia perspective, check out Brotherly Game. And for more on the beautiful game, check out SB Nation's soccer hub.

D.C. United Trades Danny Cruz To Philadelphia Union For Lionard Pajoy

Three days before D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union are scheduled to meet at RFK Stadium, the two sides made a trade.