D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union Blog Reaction: 'We Know Our Best 11 Again'

A game-winner by Lionard Pajoy over the Philadelphia Union gave D.C. United six points in two games and has D.C. United in the fourth playoff spot with five matches left in the season.

Martin Schatzer at Black and Red United was understandably quite pleased with United's performance in the second win in as many games, noting that the same squad was on the field for Thursday night's game-winner as had been when the team went ahead against the New England Revolution in the team's last game:

This team fights on. We have another game in three days, but Ben Olsen didn't make any late substitutes because he didn't need to. Everyone on the field from the 55th minute on was willing to fight until the end. Pajoy was clearly tired, but he kept working. Chris Korb picked up a knock early in the second half but showed no intent to leave the field.

Especially heartening for United fans is the emergence of Chris Pontius after Dwayne De Rosario suffered an injury while playing for Canada in World Cup Qualifying. The 25-year-old has assists on the team's two most recent game-winning scores.

We also have as definitive an answer as we're going to get to the question of Who Will Step Up Without Dwayne De Rosario. It's Pontius. There shouldn't be any doubt why he was given the captain's armband in DeRo's absense. He was leading by example with a newfound and unexpected maturity, pushing the team forward with consistency and precision... Pontius was always going to be the likeliest player to create a goal. When the team needed a play, Pontius made it.

United returns to home for a matchup Sunday against Chivas USA.

For more on D.C. United, head over to Black and Red United and continue to check out SB Nation DC.

D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union: Lionard Pajoy Goal Sees United Past Union

Lionard Pajoy scored his second goal in a D.C. United uniform to defeat his former club Thursday night as D.C. United temporarily moved into fourth place in MLS' Eastern Conference by defeating the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at PPL Park.

Pajoy's goal came in the 67th minute after Chris Pontius ran on to a deflected long ball from Maicon Santos on the right side of Philadelphia's penalty area. After staying up right following a tackle, Pontius crossed to the center of the box, where Pajoy took his time before volleying the ball high into the net.

The win moved D.C. United to 47 points, one ahead of the fifth-place Houston Dynamo and two ahead of the sixth-place Columbus Crew. The three teams are playing for two playoff spots, and each has played the same amount of games (29). United are also just two points behind the third-place New York Red Bulls, who have also played 29 games.

D.C. United resumes their season Sunday night with a match against Chivas USA at RFK Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m.

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

D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union: Eastern Rivals Scoreless At Halftime

D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union have entered halftime with no goals between them after a first half utterly devoid of incident.

United, who would get back into the Eastern Conference playoff places with a win or a draw, started the match poorly as the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession. The visitors looked particularly shaky in defense, as the Union won the ball far too easily and United looked far too casual in possession.

However, the Black-and-Red came back into the game in the later part of the first half, actually outshooting the Union over the first 45 minutes 3-2 while managing the half's only shot on target. United also won the possession battle over the Union, 52%-48%. Each team was caught offside twice.

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

D.C. United Vs. Philadelphia Union: Black-And-Red Face Eastern Conference Rivals

D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union will tangle on Thursday at PPL Park.