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Peterson, Erpen power Rapids past D.C. United

May 4, 2008 - 10:49 PM COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (Ticker) -- There may not be a more pleasant sight for the Colorado Rapids than to see D.C. United step onto their home field.

Jacob Peterson and Facundo Erpen each scored second-half goals, leading the Rapids to a 2-0 win over D.C. United on Sunday.

Colorado has not lost to D.C. United since May 6, 2000 - a span of nine visits here. The Rapids have won the last five matches at home between the teams and six of the nine encounters since the setback at Mile High Stadium nearly eight years ago.

"It was a total team effort today," Rapids coach Fernando Clavijo said. "I thought the team played outstanding as we changed the lineup to give an opportunity to some of the younger players and they stepped up. But as I have been saying along, it is just one game."

From the left side, Christian Gomez hit Peterson in stride down the middle of the field inside the penalty box area. Peterson easily lofted a shot that sailed high and right past the outstretched arm of D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells for his first tally of the season.

"When Christian gets his head up, you gotta make the run because you know that the pass will be there," Peterson said. "Obviously, it was a great ball, and I was able to finish it."

Erpen added his first goal of the campaign in the 72nd minute. After receiving a crossing pass from Terry Cooke inside the goalkeeper's box, the Argentine defender lunged over a D.C. United player and headed the ball into the open left side of the net.

Bouna Coundoul recorded two saves to record his third shutout of the season for the Rapids (3-3-0), who avoided consecutive losses at home for the first time since June 2-16, 2001.

"I am happy that we won, but I am not satisfied because I know we are capable of a lot more," Coundoul said.

Wells stopped two shots for D.C. United (2-4-0), which is winless in its last six road contests dating to last season.

"The loss is very troubling," D.C. United coach Tom Soehn said. "We have addressed a lot, especially having a better road mentality. We have a lot of work to do."