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D.C. has to take care of business against Chivas

Sep 21, 2012 - 8:34 PM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United found a cure for its road woes Thursday night against the Philadelphia Union, but still need to take care of business at home Sunday against Chivas USA.

Lionard Pajoy scored in the second half against his former team as United won, 1-0, at PPL Park midweek to snap a six-game road losing streak that dated back more than three months.

United last won on the road in mid-June, also 1-0 against Philadelphia.

In fourth place in the Eastern Conference entering the weekend, United holds a playoff spot as it tries to end a four-year postseason drought.

Chivas USA (7-14-7) will provide a good chance for United (14-10-5) to pick up three more crucial points, and D.C. can't afford to waste the opportunity this weekend at RFK Stadium.

United has won two successive matches since 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario was lost for the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury, and the three points on the road against the Union were the most important.

"Again it wasn't the greatest performance, but that's what you've gotta do these days. We're still trying to find ourselves," United coach Ben Olsen said after the match. "As far as life after DeRo and our shape, tweaking things."

Now, United will try to add another victory against Chivas in its next-to-last home game this season. With winnable road matches against the Portland Timbers and Toronto FC ahead on the schedule, another win would keep United rolling.

Olsen warned United should not overlook Chivas USA, which has secured most of its points on the road this season.

"It's a dangerous opponent especially when a team like Chivas doesn't have a whole lot to lose, they become very dangerous. I think people are playing for their jobs there. But we are at home and hopefully we can play like we did (against the Union) and hopefully get control of the game more," Olsen said.

Chivas is level on points with Portland at the foot of the Western Conference, but maintains some hope of qualifying for the postseason. But Chivas has lost four straight and is winless in eight, and shows no signs of a late run.