WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- It may have been 14-year-old Freddy Adu's professional debut, but old hand Jaime Moreno stole the show.

In the MLS season opener, the 30-year-old Moreno had a goal and assist to lead D.C. United to a 2-1 victory over the defending champion San Jose Earthquakes.

Adu replaced Alecko Eskandarian at the hour mark, entering to a standing ovation from the crowd of 24,603 at RFK Stadium. Greeted by cheers every time he touched the ball, Adu became the youngest professional athlete in the modern era.

Fans who were disappointed when the teenage phenom didn't start were sated just 12 minutes in as Earnie Stewart's free kick found Moreno in the center of the penalty area. The forward headed the ball past goalkeeper Pat Onstad for his 70th career strike.

The Earthquakes took revenge quickly. Seven minutes later, D.C. goal keeper Nick Rimando hauled down Brian Mullan, giving Ronnie Ekelund a penalty attempt that the midfielder promptly buried.

Moreno put United back on top with a fine run down the left flank in the 39th minute that split the defense, allowing Alecko Eskandarian to set up for a fine voilley past Onstad.

Bobby Convey's dreadful miss of an open net in the 50th minute brought chants of "Freddy, Freddy" from the crowd to no avail. Moreno actually scored again in the 58th minute, only to see the linesman wave it off. TV replays showed the goal was good.

Both teams finished with 10 men after Craig Waibel felled Moreno in the 76th minute and Dema Kovalenko retaliated against Mullen.