While the Black-and-Red scored two milestone goals in their Fourth of July match in Dallas, D.C. were unable to hang onto the win, falling to FC Dallas 4-2. United's back line stayed strong under pressure early on, and goalkeeper Travis Worra came up with multiple big saves to keep the home side from taking a quick lead.
The Black-and-Red opened the scoring in the 30th minute, as rookie Ian Harkes scored his first career Major League Soccer goal. Patrick Nyarko sent a ball across the top of the box to Harkes, and the midfielder confidently buried the shot in the upper 90, giving United the 1-0 lead.
Dallas netted two quick goals at the end of the half and two more to open the second half, but United continued to fight. Recent acquisition Deshorn Brown scored his first D.C. United goal in the 57th minute, after Luciano Acosta fed a clever through ball to the Jamaican forward, who coolly collected and beat the keeper.
The Black-and-Red had a flurry of late chances but were unable to find the back of the net after Dallas' keeper Gonzalez denied Acosta twice and Lamar Neagle saw his header come off the crossbar. United return to MLS action on Wednesday, July 19 in Seattle against the Sounders.