DC United managed to take advantage of their superior possession early in the second half and Santino Quaranta slotted home a clinical cross from Chris Korb, but the Colorado Rapids were too much for the visitors. They wore out D.C. and grabbed three points from the 4-1 win.
The score didn't remain tied long after Quaranta's first goal of the year. Jamie Smith headed home Anthony Wallace's cross to put Colorado back on top after he ran past Kurt Morsink and Daniel Woolard. Caleb Folan earned his second goal of the night shortly thereafter, nodding the ball past a stunned Pat Onstad to extend the lead to two goals. The Rapids added a final goal in extra time as Omar Cummings finished an easy play after Pablo Mastroeni's cross deflected off Woolard right to the forward.
United's legs let them down as the road team faded fast in the second half, which may have been partially due to altitude. But that doesn't mean that the lopsided loss will hurt any less.
United returns home to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.