On Thursday, with United needing to end a string of home draws and other disappointment, Rodríguez scored twice to charge a 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati before 28,774 at Nippert Stadium.

Rodríguez scored late in the first half and struck on a deflected shot shortly after the hosts had drawn even in the second as United (9-5-8) won for the second time in 10 matches (2-2-6) and pulled within a point of first-place Philadelphia in MLS’s Eastern Conference.

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“He is capable of really good things and, at times, great things,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “We’re trying to get ‘great’ more often out of him. Hopefully this makes him hungrier and he can keep on moving.”

Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola added a goal and an assist apiece as United turned a 1-1 tie into a 4-1 lead in a 14-minute span against the last-place expansion side (5-14-2).

Both Rodriguez’s performance and the victory were welcomed.

“We knew we had to get the three points,” Rodríguez, 22, said through an interpreter after doubling his season scoring total. “We had a couple of draws recently; probably should have won some games. It was good to win today, not only for this game but also looking forward.”

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With a visit to reigning champion Atlanta on Sunday and to Chicago next weekend, United could ill-afford a letdown here.

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D.C. played a more counterattacking style than usual, challenging Cincinnati to break down the defense and springing forays in the second half that resulted in goals.

“You drop points at home, it puts a little urgency on the road to get all three points," Olsen said. "Everyone showed up and played at a fairly high level.”

United prevailed without goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who was benched for violating a team rule, a person close to the team said. In his first regular season start of the year, Chris Seitz handled himself well in goal, conceding just a penalty kick.

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“It was Seitz’s turn to play,” Olsen said, “and I thought he did fantastic.”

Olsen did not comment further on the decision.

The goalkeeping surprise was the only change. Argentine playmaker Luciano Acosta served the second game of a two-match suspension, leaving Rodríguez and Arriola to ignite the attack.

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“With Lucho or without Lucho,” Rodríguez said, “you have to do well for the team. Luckily, I was able to get two goals.”

The first came in the 42nd minute. Rooney collected Joseph Mora’s throw-in in the penalty area. Rooney’s back was to the goal, but because of his menacing qualities, Cincinnati collapsed on him. When Allan Cruz dropped off Rodríguez, Rooney slipped the ball to his teammate, who took one touch, then curled a 15-yard shot beyond Spencer Richey’s reach.

Cincinnati pulled even in the 54th minute on Emmanuel Ledesma’s penalty kick. How the attempt came about, however, was vehemently challenged by United. Leonardo Bertone stung an angled free kick toward the heart of the penalty area. The ball traveled between the two D.C. players in the defensive wall, striking Arriola in the arm.

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Did Arriola extend his arm, or was it a case of the ball striking the player? Referee Baldomero Toledo pointed to the penalty spot.

Olsen called the call “a little bit harsh. Our response from that was really good. . . . Our ability to counter that with a goal very quickly really was the difference."

Five minutes passed. At the edge of the box, Rooney touched the ball to Arriola, who laid it off for Rodríguez, whose 20-yard drive caromed off Kendall Waston and flew past Richey.

Another five minutes went by before United extended the lead. Rooney scored, but Leonardo Jara made it happen, serving a terrific long ball in stride to the Englishman, whose first touch dismissed Waston and led to a cool, 12-yard shot into the low left corner for his 11th goal.

Arriola applied the finishing touches in the 73rd minute, gathering Rodríguez’s outlet pass, embarking on a long run along the left side and beating Richey with a rising, angled shot.

“This is something we need with the conference so tight,” Arriola said. “Especially in a short week, it was an extremely important to get a good result. It gives us a lot of confidence going forward.”