The dagger for D.C. United started with former Woodbridge, Va., resident Andrew Dykstra, the young goalkeeper for the Chicago Fire.

Dykstra, who had 80-100 people coming to watch him, said he was looking for Brian McBride with his long distributions late in the game. He wasn’t able to get the ball to him in the corner a little earlier. Then he saw McBride drift into the box and figured he would aim there.

“I trust the 36-year-old veteran,” Dykstra said, undercounting by one year.

The 37-year-old veteran knew what to do next. He couldn’t see United keeper Troy Perkins, but he could hear him.

“The goalie was talking, so I knew where he was,” McBride said. “I was trying to put it on goal. I didn’t pick out the corner, but I knew where the goalie was, so I was just trying not to put it right at him.”

So now you know, MLS keepers: When a long ball is going to McBride, keep your mouth shut.