United Romps Into Title Game Again

D.C. United is headed to Major League Soccer’s championship game for the fourth year in a row.

Marco Etcheverry scored on a 25-yard free kick and had three artful assists, setting up Jaime Moreno once and Roy Lassiter twice in United’s 4-0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

United will play the Galaxy for the championship next Sunday at Foxboro, Mass. In the league’s inaugural title game in 1996, United beat the Galaxy, 3-2, in overtime at Foxboro.

Columbus forced the deciding third game with a 5-1 rout at home last weekend, but the Crew was thoroughly dominated Saturday as it failed again at RFK Stadium. In 13 meetings in Washington, Columbus has yet to defeat United.

United has not lost a playoff game at home, going 12-0 in four years, and has played in the MLS Cup every year since the league’s inception.

Etcheverry and Moreno worked the give-and-go to perfection in the penalty area, with Etcheverry giving the one-touch back to Moreno for a 10-yard shot for his fourth goal of the playoffs.

On the second goal, Etcheverry chipped a 30-yard pass down the right side ahead to Lassiter, who outraced defender Mike Lapper to the goal before tapping a left-footer past goalkeeper Mark Dougherty.

Lassiter was more spectacular with his second goal, an eight-yard bicycle kick off a header from Moreno after the ball was played into the area by Etcheverry.

Tom Presthus earned the shutout for United, but didn’t face a Columbus shot until the 89th minute.

Galaxy vs. D.C. United

The Galaxy will play D.C. United for the MLS title:

* When: Sunday, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m.

* Where: Foxboro, Mass.

* TV: Channel 7