Charlie Davies scored his MLS-leading sixth goal of the season in the 52nd minute, and D.C. United survived a late penalty by Brad Evans to hold off the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Wednesday night at RFK Stadium.
Leading 1-0 after Josh Wolff's first-half goal, United appeared to have put the game to bed in the 52nd minute as Andy Najar passed out to Josh Wolff on the home side's right wing. In a mirror image of his opener, Wolff sent a low square ball across the six-yard box for Davies, who arrived at Kasey Keller's right post and made no mistake to put United up two goals.
However, Seattle continued to press, sensing that United's new-look back four could be had, and they were rewarded for their perseverance in the 70th minute when Dejan Jakovic left his feet and clattered into Fredy Montero from behind, sending the Colombian tumbling in the box. Referee Hilario Grajeda awarded a penalty which was duly converted to Bill Hamid's right by Evans to cut Seattle's deficit to 2-1.
Evans's penalty denied Hamid a second clean sheet of the season, but the 20-year goalkeeper recovered remarkably well, as he made a diving save in the 73rd minute to deny Alvaro Fernandez's header its rightful place in the top right corner of the net. Three minutes later, Hamid got his fingertips to a scorching drive by Montero and redirected the ball over the top of the goal.
At that point, D.C. United looked to be hanging on for dear life, but in reality, Seattle's last, best chance of getting something from the match had gone as United skillfully strangled the life out of the final 15 minutes with solid midfield possession.