• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

United 2, Chivas USA 2

May 17, 2009 - 6:25 AM By LUIS BUENO STATS MLS Writer

CARSON, Calif. (STATS) - D.C. United scored two goals in the last 15 minutes against the toughest defense in MLS to escape with a 2-2 tie Saturday night at Chivas USA.

Luciano Emilio scored in the 77th minute when he re-directed a shot from Santino Quaranta off the left post and into the back of the net. Quaranta ripped a shot from 25 yards out to tie it in the 85th.

The goal was especially meaningful for Quaranta. On May 8, Quaranta's son Valentino was born. With his wife Petrina caring for the infant, Quaranta said he has been able to play soccer and rest.

"We came out two days before and it's been great," Quaranta said of his team's travel itinerary. "My wife's been great and my family has helped tremendously since I've been gone and I'm able to focus here solely on the game. I get some sleep out here too."

Down 2-0 in the 77th minute, Quaranta sent a ball towards goal that deflected off Emilio before leveling the score seven minutes later. Chivas (7-1-2) had allowed just three goals in their first nine matches.

Such a goal was a reflection of United's mindset defender Bryan Namoff said.

"We're sticking with the play. No one is lowering their heads and giving up," he said. "We're putting in 90-minute performances and... we're able to come back regardless of what situation we're in. That's just the character of every player out there."

D.C. (3-1-6) is unbeaten in six games. United coach Tom Soehn said his players' faith in each other has been instrumental in the club's season.

"It's about a belief in themselves and in each other. It's a no-die attitude. No matter what happens, we're going to fight through adversity. Adversity sometimes being the officiating, sometimes being the opponent. You have to fight through all of that and today they did a great job of doing that."

Maykel Galindo, who scored 12 goals for Chivas in 2007, opened the scoring in the 25th minute in his first start since May 11, 2008.

A sports hernia injury that surfaced late in the 2007 season eventually required surgery and kept Galindo out of action for most of 2008. He had been limited him to four games this season entering Saturday.

"I really feel like I'm really returning, that I'm playing soccer," Galindo said. "I'm not feeling the operation, not feeling the pain and I think that for me is impressive."

In the 43rd minute, Atiba Harris scooped up a loose ball on the left side of the box and crossed to Eduardo Lillingston, who headed it in.

Even after the two-goal lead, though, Chivas players said they failed to finish off the game when they had the chance.

"Both goals we gave up were outside the box. They really came from nothing. Santino Quaranta hits two of them off his shin," Chivas defender Carey Talley said. "Those things happen... If we're a little bit sharper we close that game out a long time ago."