WASHINGTON (AP) -- A.J. Wood took advantage of the few minutes he played Wednesday night.

Wood redirected a shot by Richie Williams past New York/New Jersey goalie Mike Ammann in the 99th minute Wednesday night to give D.C. United a 3-2 overtime victory over the MetroStars, ending their nine-game unbeaten streak.

Wood played only 11 minutes in the game, most of it coming in overtime, and barely touched the Williams shot. But Wood touched it enough to redirect past the sliding Ammann in the ninth minute of the 10-minute overtime period.

"I just kind of stuck my leg out there," Wood said. "It hit my shin and went in."

The win kept playoff hopes alive for United (6-13-6, 24 points). It was the first loss for the MetroStars (13-8-2) since June 9.

"Three points is what we needed for a victory, and that's what we got," United coach Thomas Rongen said. "Tonight, this team refused to lose."

Billy Walsh headed in a cross from Steve Shak in the 87th minute for the MetroStars to force overtime. United had taken a 2-1 lead on Jaime Moreno's goal in the 68th minute.

The MetroStars had only two shots on goal in regulation, but scored on both.

The start of the game was delayed 33 minutes when D.C. United had to change jerseys because referee Marcel Yonan said the teams were wearing shirts that were too similar.

The MetroStars had to play without two of their top defenders, Mike Pelke (red card) and Ramiro Corrales (yellow card accumulation).

Raul Diaz Arce gave United a 1-0 lead when he scored on a breakaway in the sixth minute.

United had three breakaways in the first 11 minutes but just scored once as Ammann, who had eight saves, made several spectacular stops. Simpson had only two saves, both in overtime.

Adolfo Valencia tied it in the 33rd minute, scoring on a penalty kick after D.C. United's Jeff Agoos pulled down Petter Villegas in the box.

"It was an important win for us," United's Eddie Pope said, after assisting on the game-winning goal. "We have to get wins now."