By the Numbers

By the Numbers: D.C. United vs Columbus Crew

Marcelo Saragosa goal celebration - 2012

D.C. United has clinched a spot in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs thanks to a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium on Saturday night. Here a few key numbers from the match:


5

It has been five years since the club last appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs. A draw would have secured a sport, but Head Coach Ben Olsen wanted the win.


"We didn’t want to sit here and get a tie out of this game," Olsen explained after the match. "It was a balance of trying to get that third goal, but making sure if we don’t, you get behind that ball and defend and everybody dig down deep cause we didn’t want to get a back and forth game, but we did want to catch them on the counter."


91'

Lewis Neal's goal in the 91st minute was one of the most exciting moments at RFK Stadium in many years. The match-winning goal is was Neal's second of the season and his second match-winner of the season. "Lewis has been around for a long time and that moment was too big for him," said Olsen after the match.


56%

Once again, Coach Olsen started two defensive midfielders and again the team lead its opponent in Duels Won. The Black-and-Red won 56% of the duels during the match.

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