By The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The D.C. United took advantage of an own-goal by Chad Marshall and Mario Rodriguez’s missed penalty kick to beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday night.

The victory allowed United (6-5-4) to move into a tie for third with Kansas City in the Eastern Conference standings.

Marshall’s error occurred when he attempted to clear a shot from United midfielder Christian Gomez in 64th minute, but instead booted the ball into his own net.

United midfielder Freddy Adu made his first start since returning from the FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland. He was substituted at halftime.

Nana Kuffour played energetically in his second start of the season for United and was nearly rewarded with a goal in the 33rd minute, but the Ghanaian forward was ruled offside in front of the net.

‘Quakes, FC Dallas tie

DALLAS – Arturo Alvarez had a goal and an assist to help FC Dallas tie the San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 in its last game at the Cotton Bowl.

Alvarez’s assist on Chris Gbandi’s goal in the 57th minute resulted in a 2-1 lead for FC Dallas (10-2-4), who remain atop the Western Conference standings with 35 points. San Jose (6-3-7) is 11 points back in second place.

Ricardo Clark tied the match two minutes later on a shot to the right corner past goalkeeper Scott Garlick.

It was the only San Jose shot in the second half. FC Dallas outshot the Earthquakes 11-1 in the half and 14-5 on the night.

Alvarez scored his first goal of the season on a header in the fourth minute for a 1-0 lead. Ronnie O’Brien crossed a pass to Bobby Rhine, who looped a pass over two San Jose defenders for the assist.

Brian Mullan tied it the sixth minute, dribbling around Garlick and scoring from inside the penalty box for his first goal of the season.

San Jose played most of the game with only 10 players after defender Danny Califf got a red card in the 35th minute for tackling FCD’s Roberto Mina.

AP-ES-07-02-05 2320EDT

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