Eddie Gaven came off the injured reserve list and scored on a diving header to give the Columbus Crew a 2-1 over against D.C. United to end a six-game winless streak.
Gaven, who had been out since injuring his leg Aug. 5, returned to score his fifth goal of the season in the 60th minute after getting on the end of a crossing pass by Sebastian Miranda.
''Usually I just hit that with my foot,'' Gaven said of his 12-yard shot. ''I don't know why I decided to hit it with my head but I did and fortunately it went in.''
The Crew (12-12-8, 44 points) moved past Houston into a tie with Philadelphia for second place in the Eastern Conference, a point behind Sporting Kansas City. The Union played to a 1-1 draw at Chivas USA later Sunday. Columbus was 0-5-1 in the previous six games.
Daniel Woolard gave United (9-10-11) the lead in the 37th minute off Dwayne De Rosario's free kick from 40 yards. Woolard was left unmarked at the goal box for the redirect with his left foot.
''No one looked like they picked me up,'' he said. ''I sort of swung over to the back post. The ball ended up being there. I got a little touch on it.''
It was his first shot on goal in 22 games this season and his second career goal after scoring for the Chicago Fire in 2008.
However, Woolard's own goal in the 48th minute tied it when he tried to block a shot from Andres Mendoza that went through a crowd of legs.
''It happened so fast. It was just reaction,'' Woolard said.
