Santos shines as D.C. downs Dallas

Maicon Santos scored two goals and assisted on another as he led D.C. United to a 4-1 win over his former team, FC Dallas, on Friday at RFK Stadium.

The two sides traded first-half goals with Santos putting United in front midway through the opening half before Blas Perez equalized shortly before the break for FC Dallas.

But the second half belonged to D.C. with Santos setting up a goal for Nick DeLeon on the hour mark before DeLeon turned provider on a Danny Cruz goal six minutes later.

Santos capped his splendid evening with another goal in the 73rd minute, giving United three in a 13-minute span to put the result away.

Dallas put a couple of decent chances together in the opening 10 minutes before Dwayne De Rosario volleyed a ball off the crossbar from long range for the home side.

Santos then struck the first blow for United when he unleashed a left-footed effort from 25 yards that sailed into the upper corner of the net.

D.C. defender Emiliano Dudar gave the goal back in the 41st minute when he misplayed a ball in midfield that allowed Perez to get in on goal and beat goalkeeper Joe Willis.

DeLeon turned in his best performance of the season in the second half when he had a shot tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Kevin Hartman before scoring one minute later after a nice delivery from Santos.

Cruz benefited from some good work by DeLeon on the left wing as he won the ball from a defender and crossed to the front of the net for a first-time finish that made it 3-1.

The lead then swelled to three goals in the 73rd as De Rosario's cross found the head of Santos and he turned the ball past a helpless Hartman.

Dallas was reduced to 10 men 13 minutes from time as Daniel Hernandez picked up a second yellow card, capping a forgettable night for the Hoops, who have lost back-to-back games after claiming four points from their first two matches.

United picked up its first victory of the campaign after securing a total of one point from its previous three contests.