MLS Standings 2012: United Stays In The Playoff Picture

The 2012 MLS season is winding down and D.C. United isn't going away.

United is coming off of a win over the hapless New England Revolution, earned the squad another critical three points in their effort to make the postseason.

D.C. has been playing inconsistent soccer lately, seemingly alternating good and bad performances. Luckily for United, their main competition hasn't been on fire either.

The Columbus Crew took a beating on Saturday night at the hands of the New York Red Bulls, losing 3-1. The Crew remains two points back of D.C. with six matches remaining.

Here's a look at the top of the Eastern Conference Standings:

1. Sporting Kansas City 51 points
2. Chicago Fire 50 points
3. N.Y. Red Bulls 49 points
4. Houston Dynamo 46 points
5. D.C. United 44 points

The overall leader in points resides in the Western Conference, with the San Jose Earthquakes owning 56 points.

For a full look at the standings, please follow this link.

For more on 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.

New England Revolution Vs. D.C. United: 'The Core Of This Team Will Get Us' To The Playoffs

D.C. United came up with a huge win over the New England Revolution Saturday night, putting the team without star Dwayne De Rosario, who is out for the rest of the season with a Grade III sprain of his right MCL, in playoff position, something with which the Black and Red have been relatively unfamiliar in recent years.

In a 2-1 victory, United got goals from Chris Pontius and reserve Lewis Neal after the Revolution got on the board first, a thrilling result Black and Red United's Martin Shatzer credits to manager Ben Olsen:

Would you believe that a player as good as Andy Najar has never made the MLS Playoffs? Chris Pontius is used to spending Thanksgiving home with his family, not in D.C. training. Bill Hamid has become a regular for the U.S. National Team, but he's played in his league's postseason? Perry Kitchen is used to winning national championships, not just watching them.

This is the new core of our team. We don't have a most valuable player anymore. All of these guys are valuable. All of them want to keep playing in November.

In a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution, tonight D.C. United proved that they can win without Dwayne De Rosario. United is more than just one man. And if we are just one man, that man is Ben Olsen, who managed the hell out of this game. Without DeRo, Olsen gave Branko Boskovic the chance to step up, and he did. Then, knowing that Boskovic's one brilliant moment of the match had already expired, Olsen pulled him for a hungry Lewis Neal.

The United have a very real shot to make the playoffs, and Saturday night's win was a massive step toward doing so.

For more on D.C. United, check out Black and Red United, and for all your soccer news, visit SB Nation's soccer hub.

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United: Match Ratings From United's 2-1 Victory Over The Revs

Match Ratings from United's 2-1 victory over the Revs on a special day for Ben Olsen.

New England Revolution Vs. D.C. United Match Recap: Lewis Neal's First Goal Wins It For United

After scoring D.C. United's first goal in the 32nd minute, forward Chris Pontius assisted Lewis Neal in the 63rd for what would prove to be the winning strike in a closely contested 2-1 match against the New England Revolution.

From the top of the penalty box, Neal beat diving New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who made five saves in the match, for his first goal of the season.

Opposite Reis, United goalkeeper Bill Hamid also made five saves, including a one-on-one stop against Revs rookie midfielder Kelyn Rowe, who was going for his second goal of the game, and the tying strike, with just more than five minutes to play.

Hamid shut out the Revolution for the final 60-plus minutes of the match, with New England's lone goal coming in the 29th minute from Rowe, who was assisted by midfielder Diego Fagundez.

Rowe's goal was answered three minutes later by Pontius, who tied it the score up at 1-1 with an assist from midfielder Branko Boskovic.

The win moves United, at least temporarily, into the fifth and final playoff spot in the East with a record of 13-10-5.

For more on D.C. United, check out Black and Red United, and for all your soccer news, visit SB Nation's soccer hub.

New England Revolution Vs. D.C. United Halftime Update: Chris Pontius Goal Ties Score At 1-1

D.C. United forward Chris Pontius scored a goal in the 32nd minute to tie the score at 1-1 in the first half against the New England Revolution. Pontius was assisted by midfielder Branko Boskovic.

Pontius' goal, his 11th of the season, answered one from New England midfielder Kelyn Rowe three minutes prior. Rowe's goal, deflected in off of the top post, was assisted by midfielder Diego Fagundez.

The Revolution have nearly doubled up United with 13 attempts on goal to D.C.'s seven, but only one of New England's shots have been on target versus three for United. New England goalkeeper Matt Reis has two saves, one lunging deflection in the 23rd minute and another on a rocket of shot from United midfielder Andy Najar to the center of the net in the 42nd minute.

For more on D.C. United, check out Black and Red United, and for all your soccer news, visit SB Nation's soccer hub.

New England Revolution Vs. D.C. United: Playoff Push Continues For DCU, Minus Injured Dwayne De Rosario

Can D.C. United claim a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference?