Silva's late heroics lift DCU past Orlando

Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Luis Silva came off the bench to secure a 1-0 win for D.C. United over Orlando City SC at the Citrus Bowl on Friday with a goal in stoppage time.

The two goalkeepers were kept busy in a game played at a very quick pace with end-to-end action, and just when it looked as though neither side would be able to find the net, Silva stepped up and curled a free kick inside the left post just beyond the reach of Orlando goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

United has now claimed three wins from their first four games this season, while Orlando has taken just one point from its three most recent outings.

The hosts asked most of the questions in the first half and Amobi Okugo wasted a good opportunity in the 18th minute when he sent a free header wide from six yards after a nice delivery from Brek Shea.

Shea played provider again in the 31st with a nice ball through the area to Kevin Molino, but his shot struck the post after he took a touch.

Molino had another chance five minutes before the break as Orlando continued to pressure. But after being played through by Kaka, Molino was denied by United goalkeeper Bill Hamid as he came off his line to cut down the shot.

United's Chris Rolfe nearly hit the net just before the halftime whistle with a volley that sailed wide of the left post, but it brought an end to an entertaining 45 minutes.

The second half saw fewer clear-cut chances, yet Hamid still needed to make quality stops on Carlos Rivas and Molino to keep Orlando off the scoreboard.

It looked like the best chance for either side came in the 68th minute when a low shot from United's Conor Doyle forced Ricketts to get down and make a save. The rebound was spilled into the path of Chris Pontius, but his effort was cleared off the line by Shea.

Silva entered the contest in the 76th minute for Rolfe, and he was given a huge chance shortly before the final whistle when he was fouled by Orlando's Seb Hines and stepped up to the free kick, curling it over the wall and just off the outstretched hand of Ricketts before it settled into the net.