A second-half goal from Lionard Pajoy has given DC United a narrow 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union at the PPL Park.

The visitors took the game to Philadelphia from the first whistle but a combination of stubborn defending and a lack of creativity limited the chances early on.

Chris Pontius came close to making the breakthrough for United with a powerful strike from 35 yards but Zac MacMath reacted well to push the ball to safety.

Philadelphia provided much more of an attacking threat after the interval and Jack McInerney tested Bill Hamid with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

DC scored the vital goal in the 67th minute through Pajoy after Pontius rounded MacMath with some neat footwork to allow his teammate to finish easily from close range.

Philadelphia responded well to the goal but a superb save from Hamid denied McInerney from only a few yards out to secure the points for United.