Fabian Espindola's first-half strike was enough to ensure DC United registered a victory over Sporting Kansas City tonight.

The Argentine striker's decisive finish was a sweetly-taken effort that found the top corner of Eric Kronberg's net on 28 minutes.

DC could have taken the lead earlier in the opening period when Nick DeLeon's header was kept out by Kronberg.

Sporting, who started the game ahead of United in the standings, could have equalised in the second half with Benny Feilhaber, Dominic Dwyer and Seth Sinovic all going close.

However, their efforts proved to be in vain as DC held on for a victory that sees them leapfrog KC into second in the Eastern Conference.