Lazo Alavanja and Jorge Rodriguez had goals as Dallas opened the Mike Jeffries era with a 2-1 victory over D.C. United at MLS’ Spring Training 2001 preseason tournament March 15. Dallas took the lead for good in the 69th minute. Alavanja took a feed from rookie Joselito Vaca and beat United ‘keeper Mike Ammann with a hard, low shot to the inside left post from 25 yards out. “The team played very well, we had quite a few chances to score,” Alavanja said. “The ball was played to the middle, I took one touch to the right, and I tried to aim for the near post.” D.C. United drew even at 1-1 in the 66th minute. Rookie midfielder Ryan Nelsen, who has looked good at defensive midfield in preseason, blasted a shot past Burn goalkeeper Adam Zapala from 20 yards out after an errant clear from the Burn defense. “It is always good to get a goal in your first game out,” Nelsen said. “Coach did let me know some of the things I did wrong. We are a very young team with several injuries, but we have a promising season ahead.” Dallas had sustained pressure for several minutes midway through the opening half, and it paid off in the 28th minute. Striker Ariel Graziani was hauled down by United defender Brian Kamler as he rushed across the top of the box. Jorge Rodriguez placed the ensuing penalty kick into the upper right hand corner of the goal to make it 1-0. Graziani had several other chances in the first half, including a drive just wide of the left post in the 36th minute. The Ecuadorian finished the contest with three shots. D.C. United had the best scoring chance in the early going. Forward Chris Albright struck the crossbar with a header from eight yards out after a solid cross from rookie midfielder Jose Alegria. D.C. striker Raul Diaz Arce left the game in the 33rd minute with a gash over his right eye. He was taken to a Ft. Lauderdale hospital for stitches. Dallas Burn 2 D.C. United 1. Goals: Rodriguez (PK) 28, Alavanja (Vaca) 69; Nelsen (unassisted) 66. Dallas Burn — Matt Jordan (Adam Zapala 46), Eric Dade, Lubos Kubik (Ryan Suarez 64), Jorge Rodriguez (Ted Eck 72), Richard Farrer, Chad Deering (Lazo Alavanja 64), Joselito Vaca (Angel Rivillo 79), Oscar Pareja (Miles Joseph 58), Antonio Martinez (Paul Broome 80), Bobby Rhine (Esmundo Rodriguez 75), Ariel Graziani (Roberto Najarro 75), Scott Cannon. D.C. United — Mike Ammann, Carey Talley (Ray Goodlet 46, Tim Garlick 63), Mark Watson, Brian Kamler, Eric Denton, Ryan Nelsen (Judah Cooks 77), Bryan Namoff, Jose Alegria, Abdul Thompson Conteh, Raul Diaz Arce (Craig Ziadie 34), Chris Albright (Caleb Norkus 78).