Kansas City, Mo ? Carey Talley and Dario Fabbro scored first-half goals as the Kansas City Wizards beat D.C. United, 2-1, Saturday night.

Kansas City (5-5-5) dominated play in the first half, outshooting D.C. 11 to five. Five of the Wizards’ shots were on goal.

Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola had little to do in the first half when he had no shots to block. He did, however, earn a rare assist.

In the 17th minute, Meola served the ball to forward Igor Simutenkov, who passed to Fabbro. The 25-year-old Argentine forward scored his fourth goal of the year when he chipped the ball over the head of the charging United goalkeeper Nick Rimando and into the open net.

Three minutes later, the Wizards cemented the lead with Talley’s goal. The defender notched his second goal of the season on a pass from midfielder Francisco Gomez.

United (6-7-1), which scored in the 55th minute on a goal by Ali Curtis, has lost all six of its road games this season.

Late in the game, United threatened to even the score with a pair of strikes in the 84th minute.

Former Wizard Roy Lassiter headed the ball toward the goal, forcing a deflection from Meola. The play was called back when Lassiter was declared offside.

The Wizards’ Independence Day victory contrasted with last year’s July Fourth debacle. Hosting the Chicago Fire, Kansas City lost 7-0 in front of a near-record holiday crowd.

Saturday’s game, and postgame fireworks display, brought out 19,641 fans to Arrowhead Stadium, the fifth-largest crowd in team history.