Sep 24, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United forward Patrick Mullins (16) is congratulated by D.C. United defender Taylor Kemp (2) after scoring a gaol against the Orlando City FC during the first half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Three second half goals gave DC United a huge win over Orlando City SC in front of the home fans.

The Eastern Conference playoff race is heating up and tonight it got even hotter as DC United move into sixth place in the standings, for the moment. Their 4-1 win over Orlando City SC leaves OCSC in below the red line in the East.

How it Happened

It was a dominant first half for the home side as they produced a majority of the scoring opportunities. They grabbed the lead in the 34th minute when Patrick Mullins tipped in a cross from Taylor Kemp.

In the opening ten minutes of the second half they scored two goals in two minutes to increase their advantage to 3-0. Lloyd Sam headed home a goal in the 51st minute and Mullins scored his second of the night in the 53rd minute.

Orlando’s problems got worse in the 66th minute when Antonio Nocerino was shown a straight red. He caught Mullins with an elbow right in front of the referee and was immediately sent off.

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Despite playing with ten men, the away side pressed on, and in the 72nd minute they would finally get a goal. Julio Baptista was the goal scorer with a splendid free kick that came down off the crossbar and in.

Julian Buescher’s goal in the 90th minute ended any hopes of a comeback, as he recorded his first goal of the season.

All Goals

.@DCUnited marca el segundo después de que @MrLloydSam le sacara provecho a este centro de Taylor Kemp. #DCvORL, 2-0. pic.twitter.com/rRXdpqv3tA — Fútbol MLS (@futbolMLS) September 25, 2016

DC United now turn their attention to the upcoming week, as they face the Columbus Crew on Wednesday and Toronto FC on Saturday. Orlando City SC will travel to Toronto FC on Wednesday and host the Montreal Impact on Sunday.