Ruiz's goal salvages tie for Union against United

WASHINGTON - For the second game in a row, the Union played a wide-open offensive affair, but, unlike last week's 3-2 win over visiting Chivas USA, this time they settled for a draw.

Carlos Ruiz's goal in the 84th minute helped the Union escape with a 2-2 tie Saturday against a new-look D.C. United at RFK Stadium. The Union twice came back from one-goal deficits.

"That's why we have Carlos Ruiz, to score goals like that," said Union team manager Peter Nowak, who has been annoyed at criticism of his forward.

Union midfielder Sebastien Le Toux, who was active all evening, sent a pass to Sheanon Williams, who crossed it to Ruiz. The Union forward tipped it in from six yards out for his fifth goal of the season.

"It was a great run from Sheanon Williams, a great pass from Sebastien, and the cross I was looking for," Ruiz said.

Ruiz got back at United keeper Bill Hamid, who stopped his close-in header off a Le Toux cross in the 60th minute.

The Union have completed the first half of their 34-game schedule at 7-4-6. United is 4-5-7.

Five-time MLS all-star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario played his first game with United after being acquired Monday in a trade with the New York Red Bulls. Defender Brandon McDonald, acquired last week from San Jose, also was in United's starting lineup.

De Rosario made an immediate contribution when he assisted on the game's first goal by Josh Wolff in the 44th minute.

Dribbling down the left side, De Rosario created enough room between himself and Brian Carroll to cross the ball to Wolff, who one-timed it in from six yards out.

Besides the assist, De Rosario showed great field vision, constantly finding open teammates.

The Union tied the score at 1 on an own goal in the 49th minute. Veljko Paunovic chipped a cross to the far post, and United defender Perry Kitchen, who was defending Le Toux, tipped the ball into his own net.

"I was looking for Sebastien all the way," Paunovic said.

Shortly after, Union keeper Faryd Mondragon got a piece of a Chris Pontius shot from the left side well inside the box, and the ball hit the post before defender Danny Califf cleared it away.

United midfielder Andy Najar struck in the 58th minute on a 35-yard blast to the lower left corner.

Mondragon said he hurt his elbow earlier in the week and was affected by it.

"My right arm wasn't 100 percent, and I got a piece of the shot but didn't have enough strength," Mondragon said. "It was a great shot."

In the 20th minute Mondragon made a diving save to the near post of a volley inside the box from Pontius. Mondragon banged his head on the post and needed a few moments until he was able to continue.

Union head trainer Paul Rushing said Mondragon was fine and didn't need treatment at halftime.