United squanders late lead

In a bad-tempered game, littered with 48 fouls, 12 yellow cards and one ejection, D.C. United lost its lead on the final kick of regulation play.

Instead of walking away with three precious points, United allowed the New York/New Jersey MetroStars to steal a 1-1 tie yesterday at RFK Stadium before 13,521.

United threw away the win in the 96th minute after the visitors were awarded a free kick 33 yards from the goal. Former United midfielder Mark Lisi served the ball into the box and MetroStars substitute Mark Magee flicked a header past United rookie goalie Doug Warren. Immediately the ref blew the final whistle of regulation and the teams played 10 minutes of scoreless overtime.

“I’m in disbelief,” Warren said. “We were bunkering in and they score on their last play.”

A win would have leapfrogged United (10-9-7, 37 points) past the MetroStars (10-8-8, 38) into second place in the Eastern Conference, it’s best position in three years.

The first goal came on a penalty kick after United midfielder Bobby Convey was brought down by MetroStars defender Chris Leitch in the box. Marco Etcheverry converted the spot-kick.

“It was a real ding-dong battle,” Hudson said. “It wasn’t a pretty game at all.”