Dyachenko nets a 2-2 tie for United in Costa Rica

By Rob Miech · October 10, 2008 · 1:16 PM

Former UNLV striker Rod Dyachenko scored a late goal Thursday night in Costa Rica to earn a 2-2 tie for D.C. United in a CONCACAF Champions League match.

In the second minute of the second half of stoppage time, Dyachenko chested a Marc Burch corner kick into the net at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica.

It was the first and only point that D.C. has earned in Group A of the Champions League.

Saprissa, which is nicknamed “Purple Monster,” CD Marathon and Cruz Azul all have seven points.

United finishes the group stage Oct. 21 at Cruz Azul in Mexico City and at home Oct. 29 against Honduras-based Marathon.

Dyachenko, a 25-year-old midfielder, has started five of 19 games this season. He hasn’t scored in Major League Soccer games but has assisted on three goals.

"Burchy and I have been talking about really bursting into that near space, at the near post, so as soon as he hit it I just ran right for it," Dyachenko said. "I didn't think I was going to get the ball, but somehow it just slipped through."

United (10-14-3, 33 points) is making a last-gasp run to the MLS playoffs. It plays at Houston on Sunday, at home against New England on Thursday and finishes at Colorado on Oct. 26.

United defender Mike Zaher, a Las Vegas native and Bishop Gorman High graduate who played at UCLA, said D.C. will continue to play hard in the Champions League.

"Obviously, the ref really hurt us tonight,” he said. “I thought we had everything against us – the environment, the refs, the fans – everybody was kind of like, we're throwing in the towel on this tournament.

“But we should be holding our heads up and looking forward to Houston and turning our season around. Hopefully, this lights a spark for this team, for the club and for the organization, and we turn it around and get into the playoffs."