WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- D.C. United ended the nine-game unbeaten streak of the Columbus Crew with a 2-1 victory as Abdul Thompson Conteh scored the game-winning goal with 10 minutes left.

United (7-15-2, 23 points) snapped their six-game winless streak and gave coach Thomas Rongen his 81st victory, tying MLS' all-time mark set by former Dallas Burn coach Dave Dir.

With the score tied, 1-1, Jaime Moreno fed fellow forward Conteh, who launched a solo run, taking on two defenders.

Conteh carried the ball to his left side, outraced Crew captain Mike Clark and unleashed a strong 15-yard diagonal shot which got by goalkeeper Tom Presthus and landed just inside the far right post for his team-high 12th goal of the season.

Both teams were shorthanded. United were without forward Santino Quaranta (quadricep), defender Craig Ziadie (quadricep) and goalkeeper Mike Ammann (ulnar nerve irritation). They also lost captain Marco Etcheverry, who crumbled to the ground with a groin strain in the 60th minute and later was substituted.

The Crew played without forward Brian McBride (blood clot) and midfielder Robert Warzycha (red card suspension). John Harkes also came off the field in the 30th minute with a hamstring strain.

Columbus (11-6-6, 39 points) lost for the first time since June 30 at Miami. It fell seven points behind Central Division leader Chicago, which it visits Wednesday night.

The Crew lost for the first time this season when leading at the half. They took the lead in the 25th minute on Jeff Cunningham's seventh goal, a blast off United midfielder Mark Lisi that deflected past 'keeper Mark Simpson.

United applied offensive pressure in the second half and finally broke through in the 69th minute when Stephen Armstrong was given enough time and space to send an accurate left-footed blast into the top right corner from 25 yards out.