Moreno's 2 goals lift D.C.

Five of the last six Carolina Challenge Cup champions have gone on to win either Major League Soccer's Supporter Shield, for the regular season winner, or the MLS Cup.

D.C. United hopes that trend continues.

Jaime Moreno scored two goals to lead D.C. United past the Charleston Battery, 2-0, in the final game of the Carolina Challenge Cup on Saturday night before a crowd of 5,036 at Blackbaud Stadium.

D.C. United went unbeaten during the week-long event, capturing the tournament title for the first time in five tries in the Lowcountry.

"I hope history repeats itself," said D.C. United coach Curt Onalfo. "We're a young team, so we're just hoping to improve each time out, but this was a good way to finish off a long preseason with three straight wins."

Moreno appeared to be in midseason form, scoring five goals in three games during the tournament.

"I think I was a little lucky all week to score all of those goals," the veteran striker said. "That's why we train all preseason to get better. I think when the coaches and your teammates believe in you, it makes your job that much easier. I've been working hard all preseason and it paid off for me this week."

Trailing 2-0 going into the second half, the Battery didn't go quietly into the night. In the second half, Charleston had four quality scoring chances, but just failed to score.

"Overall, I thought we played pretty good all week," said Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "With who we had in camp, and how much training we had, and who we were playing against, I thought we were pretty good. We didn't quit playing in the second half.

"We got a couple of really nice scoring chances in the second half that we just failed to finish. I was impressed with the character we showed in the second half."

D.C. United had a solid chance in the 9th minute when defender Rodney Wallace served a ball into the six-yard box. D.C. United striker Chris Pontius was able to get a half-volley on the ball, but the shot attempt sailed just wide of the goal.

The Battery answered in the 13th minute when Stephen Armstrong came up with a loose ball just outside 18-yard box. Armstrong sidestepped a D.C. United defender, took a dribble and then blasted a ball that sailed just over the cross bar.

D.C. United got on the scoreboard in the 34th minute on Moreno's fourth goal of the tournament off a corner kick.

Christian Castillo served a low, line drive that Moreno headed past Charleston keeper Reese Crowther for the score.

D.C. United extended its advantage to 2-0 on Moreno's penalty kick in stoppage time. Midfielder Santino Quaranta had the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and spun on Charleston defender by Nigel Marples. Marples was left with no choice but to haul Quaranta down to the ground, resulting in the foul.

Moreno then chipped the ball past Crowther for the score.

The Battery nearly cut the lead in half off a set piece. Kevin Jackson served the ball from about 30 yards out to the back post. The ball deflected off a Battery player and right to defender O'Brian Woodbine. Woodbine pivoted and blasted a shot that bounced off the post to end the threat.

Charleston nearly scored again in the 72nd minute when striker Tom Heinemann volleyed a shot on net that keeper Bill Hamid failed to control. Levi Coleman was there for the rebound with a wide open net, but the rookie rushed his shot as the ball sailed over the cross bar.

--Alvaro Saborio scored in the 56th minute to lead Real Salt Lake past Toronto FC, 1-0, in the first game Saturday night.

After a scramble in front of the Toronto goal, Saborio slammed the ball home for the score.

Salt Lake finished the tournament with a 2-1-0 mark, while Toronto was 0-2-1 and did not score a goal.