The game was surprising, entertaining, and controversial. It featured a highlight for the ages and a mental breakdown from one of the league’s biggest stars. It was, in the end, an enthralling 2-1 playoff win for D.C. United over the New England Revolution.

Here are my thoughts on the match:

Agudelo’s stunner just one of many great highlights

Juan Agudelo’s 16th-minute bicycle-kick goal was one of the greatest playoff goals in the history of MLS. Kevin Alston hit a smart cross, but the degree of difficulty on Agudelo’s finish was off the charts.The better news, though, is that it was just one of many great highlights in the game. There was the terrific build-up to D.C. United’s winner that began with Nick DeLeon’s backheel setup for Fabian Espindola. There was Bill Hamid’s exquisite save on Jermaine Jones. For the most part, it was end-to-end action. It was, in short, a lot of fun.

The game was good. Geiger was bad. Jones was ugly.

The other two talking points in the aftermath were the shambolic refereeing by Mark Geiger and Jermaine Jones' inexcusable response. In the second half, Geiger awarded a questionable (but probably correct) penalty to D.C. after Scott Caldwell touched the ball with his hand. While Chris Rolfe’s ensuing shot rattled off the post, the standard for a handball in the match was established.

But, in stoppage time, United’s Sean Franklin appeared to touch the ball in a similar manner to Caldwell—only to see Geiger rule that Franklin’s hand was in a natural position, a case of “ball-to-hand.” In the context of the earlier decision, it was the wrong call.

Even so, Jones’s reaction—he bumped Geiger during a heated verbal altercation—had no place. The Revolution player completely lost control, and if he stays in MLS next season, he should be looking at yet another suspension.As for Geiger, who also had his share of gaffes at the Gold Cup this summer, a measure of accountability is likewise deserved.

D.C. United shows strength in turnaround

United lives to fight another day, and it will next face a series against either Columbus or New York. Wednesday’s win was hardly convincing, but it’s a marvel that Ben Olsen’s team managed to advance at all considering its embarrassing 5-0 blowout loss to Columbus in the season finale just three days earlier.

On Wednesday, United’s players showed fight, grit, and determination—both in the face of Sunday’s lifeless hammering and of Agudelo’s sensational opener. When D.C.’s back was against the wall, the players found a way to fight back. Bill Hamid was a standout in goal. Perry Kitchen was a rock in defensive midfield. Fabian Espindola was a difference-maker. Chris Rolfe was dangerous despite the missed penalty.

Somehow, in a game not many were expecting it to win, United was largely back to its old self.