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D.C. United needed a big performance on the road against Chivas USA to move up in the MLS playoff race, and they got it tonight in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for United though, they may have lost one of their stars in the process.
D.C. got off to a flying start with two goals from striker Charlie Davies in the first 14 minutes. The first goal was set up by midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, who linked up with Chris Pontius on the wing. Pontius, making a start at forward in place of the injured Josh Wolff, found a sliding Davies to give United a 1-0 lead. Pontius and Davies hooked up again for the second goal, as Pontius took advantage of a failed Chivas clearance and unselfishly passed up his own shot to feed a wide open Davies for the striker's second of the match.
The pair wasn't done. Pontius set up Davies again in the second half on a counterattack for his third goal of the game and 11th of the season.
Pontius' night would not end on that high note though. The forward collided with Chivas defender David Junior Lopes and had to be carted off the field with an evidently painful leg injury. He will undergo x-rays to determine the extent of the injury.
United moved into playoff position with the road win. They return to action with a visit to the Seattle Sounders on Saturday Sep. 17 before facing Chivas USA once again at home on Wednesday Sep. 21.