WASHINGTON -- Christian Gomez scored one goal and assisted on another as D.C. United beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 on Saturday for its third straight win.

Gomez gave United (3-3-1) a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute when he curled a free kick over four Houston defenders and into the top left of the net to beat goalie Pat Onstad. It was the third goal of the season for Gomez, who tied Jaime Moreno for the team lead.

United made it 2-0 in the 27th minute as Gomez passed to a cutting Ben Olsen, who beat Onstad with a shot to the left of the Houston keeper for his first goal of the season. Olsen has now scored at least one goal in eight of his nine seasons with United.

Dwayne De Rosario pulled Houston (2-5-1) to within one in the 73rd minute.

United goalie Troy Perkins preserved the lead moments later when he deflected a penalty kick by De Rosario that also hit off the post.

The defending champion Dynamo lost their third straight game and have just five goals this season. They will visit the White House and President George W. Bush on Tuesday in recognition of their title. The only MLS champion previously to visit the White House was United in 1997.