nation

nation

D.C. United wins

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Luciano Emilio and Chris Pontius scored in a span of 36 seconds in the closing minute, giving D.C. United a stunning 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls in on Sunday.

The United (2-1-3) snapped a two-game winless streak and the Red Bulls (1-4-2) lost their second straight in the MLS.

Two major defensive breakdowns enabled D.C. to come back after it trailed 2-1 with less than a minute left.

Emilio scored the tying goal in the 89th minute when he secured the ball after a collision with two Red Bulls defenders and slid a shot past keeper Jon Conway.

Pontius assisted on that goal then scored one of his own, capitalizing on another defensive mistake.

Toronto FC defeats Wizards, 1-0

TORONTO — Danny Dichio’s first goal of the season ended the Wizards’ unbeaten run at four games.

Goaltender Stefan Frei recorded his second consecutive shutout as Toronto (3-2-2) moved one point ahead of Kansas City (3-3-1) and Chicago and into first place in the Eastern Conference of the MLS.

It was the first game for Toronto after coach John Carver’s sudden resignation Saturday. Assistant Chris Cummins served as interim coach Sunday.

Carver’s replacement is expected to be announced this week.

Dichio scored the only goal in the 54th minute, taking a pass from Sam Cronin at the edge of the six-yard box and tucking a low shot into the far post.

Bassmaster Elite Series decided

MONETA, Va. — Kevin VanDam won his 15th career Bassmaster Elite Series title Sunday, edging Matt Herren at the Advance Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl.

VanDam, of Kalamazoo, Mich., finished with 61 pounds, 13 ounces on Smith Mountain Lake to earn the $100,000 prize. Herren, of Trussville, Ala., was more than 2 pounds behind.

Ward gets extension

PITTSBURGH — Wide receiver Hines Ward signed his five-year contract extension Sunday with the Steelers, a deal that should allow the two-time Super Bowl winner to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

The contract runs through the 2013 season, though the 33-year-old Ward may not play that long.

Turf record broken

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Wise River broke a turf record while winning the $56,640 feature race by 31‚Ñ4 lengths Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Owned by Don Benge and ridden by Jamie Theriot, Wise River covered the 11‚Ñ16 miles on firm turf in 1:39.83, breaking the previous record of 1:40.70 set June 6, 2007, by Quite a Bride.

Wise River returned $15.20, $6.80, and $4. Crested paid $7.80 and $4.20, while Inca King paid $3 to show.

Trained by Clark Hanna, Wise River is a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Belong to Me out of the Copelan mare Future Guest. The victory was worth $35,820 and increased his career earnings to $373,124 with six wins in 28 career starts.

Kings Point Handicap

NEW YORK — Wishful Tomcat beat Manteca by three quarters of a length Sunday in the $69,875 Kings Point Handicap for New York breds, the closing-day feature at Aqueduct.

The 4-year-old set all the fractions in the 1 1-8th-mile race, stopping the clock in 1:48.96 on the fast track with Ramon Dominguez aboard.

Wishful Tomcat, making his debut for trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr., scored his second stakes win at Aqueduct, having captured the Discovery Handicap in November.

Wishful Tomcat improved to 6-for-15, paying $4.20, $3.10 and $2.10 as the even-money favorite. Manteca returned $3.50 and $2.70. Tommasi paid $3.20 to show.

Racing shifts to Belmont Park on Wednesday.

world

Ryan Giggs selected

LONDON — Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs has been voted player of the year by his fellow English soccer league professionals for the first time at the age of the 35.

The top PFA accolade was the one prize that had eluded him since making his United debut in March 1991.

After receiving the award Sunday night, Giggs is now hoping to make his 800th appearance for the Premier League leaders in Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg against Arsenal.

Vindicator staff/wire reports