SOCCER

D.C. UNITED CAPTURES MLS CUP D.C.

United won an unprecedented fourth MLS Cup yesterday, beating Kansas City 3-2. United spotted the Wizards an early goal, then scored three times in a seven-minute span of the first half to move in front for good.

After Jose Burciaga’s goal gave the Wizards the lead in the sixth minute, Alecko Eskandarian scored in the 19th minute to tie it 1-1, then added another goal four minutes later. United made it 3-1 on an own-goal when a pass by Earnie Stewart deflected off Wizards’ defender Alex Zotinca and into the net in the 26th minute.

Kansas City, the 2000 MLS Cup champion, pulled within 3-2 on Josh Wolff’s penalty kick in the 58th minute. The Wizards were awarded the kick when United’s Dema Kovalenko, protecting the goal line, used his hand to knock a shot by Davy Arnaud over the bar. Kovalenko was ejected, the first player sent off in the nine-year history of the Cup.

Freddy Adu, United’s 15-year-old phenom, came on as a substitute in the 65th minute to a roar from the crowd of 25,797. He made a run down the side with the ball late in the game, but goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi was able to pick up the ball before Adu could get off a shot.

It was United’s fifth appearance in Major League Soccer’s championship game, but the first since a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles in 1999. The only loss in those five trips was a 2-0 defeat by Chicago in 1998. Peter Nowak, United’s rookie coach, assisted on both the Fire’s goals and was the MVP of that title game six years ago.

TENNIS

SERENA WILLIAMS BEATS MAURESMO IN WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINAL

Serena Williams moved a step closer to salvaging her season with a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 semifinal victory over Amelie Mauresmo in the WTA Championships yesterday.

Williams, ranked eighth and without a Grand Slam title this season for the first time since 2001, advanced to tonight’s final against Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, who defeated French Open winner Anastasia Myskina 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 last night.

Mauresmo’s loss guaranteed Lindsay Davenport will retain the top spot when the year-end WTA rankings are released Tuesday. Davenport, who failed to advance to the semifinals, also ended the year at no. 1 in 1998 and 2001.

BASEBALL

MLB ALL-STARS WRAP UP JAPAN TOUR

Vernon Wells went 3-for-4 with a homer, and David Ortiz also homered for the touring major leaguers in a 5-0 victory over the Japanese All-Stars early yesterday. The major league stars snapped a three game losing streak, after winning the first four straight, and won the eight-game series 5-3. Over the series, the major leaguers outscored their hosts 35-19.

VIZQUEL SIGNS WITH GIANTS

Free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel has agreed to terms with the San Francisco Giants, the team announced yesterday. Vizquel agreed to a $12.25 million, three-year contract. Vizquel, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, becomes the first of 207 free agents to join a new team, and the second to sign overall after Texas reliever Doug Brocail returned to the Rangers on Friday on a $1 million, one-year deal.

BASKETBALL

HEAT SIGN FORMER KNICK ANDERSON

Forward Shandon Anderson was signed yesterday by the Miami Heat. Anderson was waived last week by the Knicks, who unsuccessfully tried to trade him and eventually bought out his contract, making him a free agent. To make room for Anderson, the Heat waived rookie forward Matt Freije and placed forward Christian Laettner on the injured list with patella tendinitis in his right knee.

HOCKEY

AMERICAN WOMEN LOSE TO CANADA IN FOUR NATIONS CUP FINAL

Dana Antal scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period as Canada defeated the United States 2-1 for the gold medal in the Four Nations Cup international women’s hockey tournament yesterday. Charline Labonte, Canada’s third-string goalie, made 37 saves for her first win against the USA.

– Associated Press