WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jaime Moreno scored his third goal in playoffs and Ben Olsen scored his first Sunday as D.C. United beat the Columbus Crew 2-1 in the first game of their best-of-3 series for the Eastern Conference title.

	Columbus Crew's Mike Lapper, left, and D.C. United's A.J. Woods leap for the ball.

Game 2 is next Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, as Washington seeks its fourth straight conference title.

The United took the lead in the 15th minute when Moreno tapped home a close range shot after Eddie Pope had flicked on a header from Marco Etcheverry's corner kick.

The Crew, now 0-12 in their history at RFK Stadium, only managed one shot on goal in the first half.

The United had a scoring chance in the 68th minute foiled when Crew goaltender Mark Dougherty stopped Moreno as he was sliding in for what seemed to be a sure goal from two yards out.

The second goal came in the 72nd minute when Olsen fired in a low left-footer from 12 yards after receiving John Maessner's cross from the left flank.

After a late offensive surge, Columbus finally got on board in the 82nd minute. Brian McBride headed a pass from Stern John into the path of Jeff Cunningham who shot past Tom Presthus from 10 yards out. It was Cunningham's second postseason goal.

This is the third straight year United and the Crew have met in the conference finals. United swept the series in 1997 and beat the Crew in three games last year.

Dougherty made six saves and Presthus had four.