CINCINNATI — Lucas Rodriguez had two goals, Wayne Rooney scored his 11th of the season and D.C. United beat expansion FC Cincinnati 4-1 on Thursday night.
D.C. United (9-5-8) has lost just once in the last eight games to move within one point of first-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference. Cincinnati (5-14-2) had its two-game winning streak snapped.
Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, curling a shot around goalkeeper Spencer Richey. FC Cincinnati is 0-12-1 when allowing the first goal.
Rodriguez gave United a 2-1 lead on a deflected shot from distance in the 59th.