Half a Scoreless Tie Anything but Electrifying

Saturday night’s game between the Kansas City Wizards and D.C. United at Washington was called after a 0-0 first half because four banks of lights were dark at RFK Stadium.

Under Major League Soccer rules, the game is official because at least one half was played. United President Kevin Payne, a member of the league’s competition committee, said he will appeal the 0-0 tie because he doesn’t remember the league passing a rule declaring a game valid after one half.

“I’m going to appeal it,” Payne said. “If the match is not replayed, we will honor these tickets at a future match.”

RFK Stadium, built in 1961, has eight banks of lights, and half of them--all on the same side of the field--were not functioning all game. But since the first half was played in evening sunlight and dusk, they had no effect.

At the start of the second half, one half of the field was distinctly more shadowed than the other. Referee Marcel Yonan made the decision not to resume the game because of concerns about player safety.

Officials then announced there would be a five-minute delay. One hour later, the game was called at 9:37 p.m.

“We waited until the electrician couldn’t get it fixed,” Payne said.

At 10:30 p.m., when nearly all the 21,035 fans had departed, all the lights finally came back on.

John Ertmann, an MLS executive vice president and the league’s chief legal officer, confirmed the result would be official.

New England 3, San Jose 0--Ted Chronopoulos scored his fifth goal of the season and reserve forward Jamar Beasley scored two goals in the final 16 minutes in front of 14,109 at Foxboro, Mass.

Miami 4, Chicago 2--The Fusion scored three second-half goals before 7,208 at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The victory was Miami’s first in four matches against the Fire this season and also ended a string of three consecutive losses.

Columbus 1, Dallas 1--Jason Farrell scored in the 72nd minute, giving the Crew a tie in front of 14,925 at Columbus, Ohio.