D.C. United's Nick Deleon (black jersey) has assumed a more offensive role in the team since the recent arrival of Costa Rica international Alvaro Saborio. (Photo: Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images) 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two weekends ago, with D.C. United holding a one-goal lead, Nick DeLeon got the ball beyond the edge of the penalty area.

The textbook play might’ve been a safe pass to keep possession, or an attempt to connect with a player closer to goal. Instead, DeLeon cut back and unleashed a 30-yard, left-footed rocket into the top corner to add a stunning insurance goal in D.C.’s 6-4 victory over Real Salt Lake.

“I don’t even know if I was planning to shoot,” DeLeon said. “Instinct took over.”

The fact that the wide midfielder is trusting his gut more may be a good sign for United, which opens Group H play in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on August 19 at Panama’s Arabe Unido.

DeLeon has now scored in two of his last three MLS matches, ending a stretch of more than a calendar year without a league goal, while also contributing his fourth assist.

Although part of the scoreless stretch owed to bad luck, the right-sided midfielder also admits he is feeling perhaps the most comfortable he’s ever been attacking out of a box-to-box role that requires him to choose his spots to go forward

“I think in the final third I’m just being a lot more aggressive,” remarked DeLeon. “I think early on I was a little more timid. I really second-guessed myself a lot. You can’t afford to do that in the final third.”

After scoring six league goals in his 2012 rookie campaign, DeLeon has never quite recaptured that offensive consistency while transitioning to less of an attack-minded midfield role. He has remained, however, an important part of Ben Olsen’s squad.

The 25-year-old winger made 31 MLS starts a season ago as United won the Eastern Conference regular-season title, and has appeared in 20 of D.C.’s 24 league matches this year.

If the two matches since the arrival of forward Alvaro Saborio are any indication, DeLeon may be able to continue his offensive resurgence while the Costa Rican forward occupies the opponent’s center backs.

Chris Rolfe and Fabian Espindola are among the other players who have benefitted so far as United defeated Philadelphia 3-2 a week before last Saturday’s high-scoring affair.

“These last two games I’ve felt like is the most space I’ve had all year,” DeLeon concluded. “I don’t know if it’s the teams or if it’s credit to having Sabo and Fabi up top and defenders are worried about those two. But it’s created so much space on the wings for me and Rolfie, that’s for sure.”