As bedrock Washington franchises go, there were not many parallels to be drawn between the city's representatives in football and futbol on Sunday. The Washington Redskins were foundering at FedEx Field during a loss that was yet another reminder that the last time the Redskins lorded over their sport was 12 years ago. That was four years before D.C. United began its run of three titles in four years in 1996. Indeed, United has been a rarity among Washington's pro franchises. The Wizards have not won an NBA title under that name, although the Bullets won one. And the Capitals are still looking for their first Stanley Cup. And don't even mention baseball.
United claimed its fourth championship in the league's nine years with a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Sunday. In front of their shirtless, painted and howling fan clubs, including the Barra Brava -- loosely translated as "the Crazy Ones" -- United's players erased their four straight losing seasons and raised the championship trophy, returning it to Washington for the first time since 1999.
United earned this championship dramatically, winning despite the fact that Kansas City had a man advantage for the last 32 minutes. United was penalized when a red card, which results in an automatic ejection, was issued to defender Dema Kovalenko, who used his hand as he protected the goal line.After six unbearable minutes of extra time, United's five-year title drought came to an emotional end. It seemed like an eternity" before referee Michael Kennedy blew the final whistle, goalkeeper Nick Rimando said in a locker room filled with cigar smoke and sprayed champagne. "We knew we were getting close to winning it, but we didn't want to let it slip away."
United's last stand capped a remarkable 2 1/2 months and sealed its fourth championship in MLS's nine-year history. After meandering through the first two-thirds of the season, United (14-10-10) finished with an 8-1-1 record and roared through the postseason with a finely tuned attack and unshakable defense.
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