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Gomez keeps United rolling in win over Dynamo

May 27, 2007 - 5:50 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Christian Gomez kept D.C. United rolling and left the Houston Dynamo reeling.

Gomez scored a goal and assisted on another as United posted a 2-1 victory over the Dynamo on Saturday night.

Gomez scored his third goal of the season on a free kick from 25 yards out in the fourth minute and assisted on Ben Olsen's goal in the 27th minute for United, which has won three in a row after opening the season with three losses.

After earning the free kick on a ill-advised challenge by Ricardo Clark, Gomez hooked shot over the wall of defenders and into the corner of the net past a diving Pat Onstad.

"After watching him play and score tonight's first goal you know why he's this league's MVP and such an important piece of our franchise," United coach Tom Soehn said.

Gomez's goal set the tone for United, which dominated the pace for the first half.

"I try to play the same every game, every week and today I played well, the team played well and my shot went in and gave us an early lead," Gomez said.

Meanwhile, Olsen made it 2-0 when he took a pass from Gomez on the wing and hit a one-timer for his first goal of the season.

Houston awoke in the second half. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins guessed right and tipped Dwayne De Rosario's penalty kick in the 72nd minute and it hit off the crossbar to keep the shutout intact.

"I just guessed right," Perkins said. "That's all you can do and I got a piece of the ball for the save. It really fires you and the team when you stop one of those."

Houston gained new life when De Rosario scored his third goal of the season a minute later on a rebound to make it 2-1.

"I was very happy to score so quickly after having that penalty shot blocked, that was good for the confidence," De Rosario said.

Still it was not enough for the defending champion Dynamo, who have lost five of six.

Perkins stopped seven shots for United, which won the first of two meetings between the teams.

Houston outshot United, 16-8.

Soehn was happy with the win, but he said his team gave up one goal too many.

"I thought we played an overall good game," Soehn said. "But there's still room for improvement. I'm not satisfied until we have a shutout."