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WASHINGTON (AP) -Fred led D.C. United to the U.S. Open Cup title and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League by scoring in the 50th minute to beat the Charleston Battery 2-1 on Wednesday.
United also won the championship in the Major League Soccer team's inaugural 1996 season.
Charleston, a team from the second-tier United Soccer League, was the first non-MLS team to play in the Cup final since 1999.
It was the first appearance for Fred since hurting his left hamstring against New England on Aug. 20. He came on in the 40th minute to replace Joe Vide, who suffered his own hamstring strain.
Fred took a pass from Clyde Simms and beat goalkeeper Dusty Hudock to give United a decisive 2-1 lead.
Luciano Emilio opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Santino Quaranta was taken down with a tackle inside the penalty area and the ball squirted backward to Emilio just outside the box. Hudock leaped and barely got his hand on the ball, but it still ended up in the top of the net.
After the goal, Emilio was replaced by Rod Dyachenko in the seventh minute.
The Battery had a quick answer.
Chris Williams pulled down a long pass in the box and flicked the ball back to Ian Fuller, who sent a hard shot into the right side for the equalizer.
The U.S. Open Cup has been contested for the past 95 years, making it the oldest annual team tournament in American sports. It is open to all amateur and professional teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.
