Recap: D.C. vs. New England

By Sports Network

Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United earned a hard-fought come- from-behind 2-1 victory over Eastern Conference rivals the New England Revolution in front of almost 17,000 screaming fans at RFK Stadium in Major League Soccer action on Thursday night.

United forward Francis Doe scored both goals for the home side - his first two goals of the season - after New England forward Taylor Twellman gave the visitors the second-half lead.

With the win, United takes a huge step toward qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs by jumping over both Kansas City and New York, who have 36 points. United now has 37 and, depending on how the Wizards and Red Bulls do this weekend, could be in the driver's seat heading into the last week of the regular season next week.

With the loss, New England needs Chicago to lose at Toronto on Saturday to have a chance at earning home-field advantage in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the Fire.

Twellman scored Thursday night's first goal just before the hour mark on a counter-attack goal. Defender Michael Parkhurst stepped up and intercepted a ball before feeding Kheli Dube on the right side. Dube threaded a pass to Mauricio Castro, who was in two-on-one with Twellman against D.C. goalkeeper Louis Crayton. Castro took a touch around Crayton and fed Twellman for the tap-in, which was his 99th career MLS goal.

But the home side, in desperate need of a win, equalized less than five minutes later.

Jaime Moreno picked up the ball at midfield and passed to Doe on the left side. The Liberian international then fired a rocket from just inside the penalty area past Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis to tie the game at one.

United got the game-winner in the 80th minute when Santino Quaranta skipped a Crayton clearance into the Revs' area to Doe, who out-muscled Parkhurst and fired a perfect shot over Reis to clinch the three points.

The Revolution (12-10-7) close out their regular season schedule when they host the Wizards on Oct. 25 while United (11-14-4) plays at Columbus a day later.