Washington, D.C. -- (Sports Network) - D.C. United, owner of the second-worst defense in Major League Soccer, statistically, earned its first shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over Kansas City at RFK Stadium on Saturday.

Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno scored on each side of the half and Zach Wells matched a season high with eight saves to earn his first clean sheet in a D.C. United uniform. The home side also improved to 8-8-1 in an effort to keep pace with the top three in the Eastern table. United is now just eight points back of leaders New England.

Kansas City never really threatened in the game as it dropped to 5-6-7, good for last place in the Eastern table.

Emilio got things started inside 15 minutes when a left-footed shot went just wide of far post from 20 yards out.

About 15 minutes later he was able to open his account when he scored his 11th goal of the season to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The play started with Ivan Guerrero, who was acquired this week from San Jose.

The Honduran international played a ball to Moreno in the offensive third before the Bolivian international played to Emilio at the top of the Wizards' penalty area. Emilio took one touch inside, around defender Jimmy Conrad, and fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net.

Moreno doubled the home side's lead at the hour mark for his all-time leading 119th career MLS goal. He now has seven goals and seven assists on the season.

United will look to close more ground on the leaders when it travels to Eastern rival New York Red Bulls on Aug. 10 for its next league fixture while the Wizards will try to get out of the basement when they host Chivas USA a day earlier.