CHESTER, Pa., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Michael Farfan scored the tiebreaking goal in the 57th minute Thursday, lifting the Philadelphia Union to a crucial 3-2 victory over D.C. United.
In a contest with playoff implications for both teams, Philadelphia (10-7-13) remained unbeaten in its last five contests and jumped past both Columbus and Houston into second place in the Eastern Conference.
A win would have moved United all the way from sixth place to third in the East. The loss left United (9-9-11) a point behind New York for the fourth and final wild-card playoff berth.
The top three teams from each conference reach the playoffs and those with the next four best records, no matter which conference they are in, earn wild-card positions.
The regular season ends Oct. 23.
Farfan's goal was the only one scored in the second half after United had rallied from an early 2-0 deficit before the intermission. Farfan assisted on the second of two goals produced in the first 15 minutes by Sebastien Le Toux, who ran his total for the season to 10.
Le Toux scored 14 times last season for Philadelphia after having only one goal for Seattle the year before that.
United tied it at halftime on goals by Dwayne De Rosario in the 22nd minute and Andy Najar 8 minutes later.
Farfan's goal came on a long shot from outside the penalty area off a pass by Roger Torres.
