• D. C. wins MLS Cup • UH Wahine survive scare • Nextel race tightens D. C. wins MLS Cup CARSON, Calif — D.C. United won an unprecedented fourth MLS Cup on Sunday, beating Kansas City 3-2. United spotted the
• D. C. wins MLS Cup
• UH Wahine survive scare
• Nextel race tightens
D. C. wins MLS Cup
CARSON, Calif — D.C. United won an unprecedented fourth MLS Cup on Sunday, beating Kansas City 3-2.
United spotted the Wizards an early goal, then scored three times in a seven-minute span of the first half to move in front for good.
United built a two-goal lead on an own-goal when a pass by Earnie Stewart deflected off Wizards’ defender Alex Zotinca and into the net in the 26th minute.
Kansas City, the 2000 MLS Cup champion, pulled within 3-2 on Josh Wolff’s penalty kick in the 58th minute. The Wizards were awarded the kick when United’s Dema Kovalenko, protecting the goal line, used his hand to knock a shot by Davy Arnaud over the bar.
Kovalenko was ejected, the first player sent off in the nine-year history of the Cup.
Despite being down a man, United held off the Wizards the rest of the way.
UH Wahine survive scare
HONOLULU — Nevada threw a scare into Hawaii on Saturday night before the undefeated Rainbow Wahine battled back to win their women’s volleyball match.
The Wolf Pack claimed the first two games 27-30, 33-35, only the have Hawaii take the final three 30-20, 30-26, 15-6.
The match marked the last home match of the regular season for the Rainbow Wahine, who are ranked second in the USA Today/CSTV Top 25 Coaches Poll.
Unranked Nevada dropped to 18-7 overall and 10-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Hawaii, 23-0 and 13-0, clinched its ninth consecutive WAC title Friday night with a victory over unranked San Jose State. The three-day WAC Tournament is slated to begin next Friday. Hawaii is then scheduled to play at Utah State and Utah before the Dec. 2 start of the NCAA Tournament.
Nextel race tightens
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Jimmie Johnson took advantage of a pit mistake by Jeff Gordon’s team and won the final Southern 500 on Sunday, making the tightest championship chase in NASCAR history even closer with one race remaining.
Kurt Busch, who fought an ill-handling car after his Ford was damaged early in the race, somehow overcame adversity again to post a sixth-place finish and retain the points lead going into next Sunday’s finale at Homestead.
Gordon appeared to be cruising to an easy victory, but a late pit mistake cost him. He charged to the end but couldn’t catch Johnson or runner-up Mark Martin. McMurray finished fourth, followed by Kahne and Busch.
Heading to Homestead, Busch, who came into Sunday’s race leading Gordon by 41 points, now leads Johnson by 18 and Gordon by 21. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had to pit late in the race to change a battery, finished 11th and now trails by 72 points, with Martin 82 behind.
