Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - Rookie midfielder Eric Alexander scored a goal and added an assist, both firsts in his Major League Soccer career, as FC Dallas defeated D.C. United, 3-1, on Saturday night at RFK Stadium.
Alexander assisted on David Ferreira's first-half goal, and added his own goal four minutes into the second half. Dallas held on despite a late own goal from Jair Benitez, as Jeff Cunningham added his seventh goal of the season late.
Dallas (8-9-2) extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games, dating back to a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 20.
United (3-14-3) avoided its 14th shutout of the year, but it has now lost five straight and is winless in its last eight.
United controlled the match through 35 minutes, with Danny Allsopp putting two shots on target and Marc Burch and Branko Boskovic one each, but Dallas goalie Kevin Hartman made all four saves, including a one-on-one save against Allsopp in the 34th.
Dallas made D.C. pay for its misses in the 36th, when Ferreira accepted a pass from Brek Shea and slotted into an empty net.
Alexander started the play with a through ball to Shea, who was in alone on D.C. goalie Bill Hamid. Shea sent a pass across the area as Hamid came off his line to challenge, and Ferreira adjusted to a poor first touch to slot the ball into the net from a few yards out.
Dallas extended its lead just four minutes into the second half, this time off a goal from Alexander. Milton Rodriguez set up the goal with a short pass from inside the area to the edge of the box, and Alexander picked out the top-left corner to leave Hamid no chance.
United pulled one goal back in the 80th minute, when Benitez directed the ball into his own net. D.C. rookie Andy Najar was closing in on a pass at the right post when Benitez stuck his foot out to stop the cross and deflected the ball past Hartman.
D.C.'s goal was just its 13th of the season, or the same as MLS leading scorer Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Cunningham capped the game with his 128th career goal, climbing within four of United's Jaime Moreno for the all-time MLS lead, two minutes into extra time.
Dallas will try to extend its unbeaten streak Aug. 21 when it hosts Chivas USA and D.C. hosts the Philadelphia Union on Aug. 22 in its next match.