Union settle for draw vs. Earthquakes after allowing late goal
Just when things were looking like they had so far this year for the Union, they reverted to a season ago.
Just when things were looking like they had so far this year for the Union, they reverted to a season ago.
Holding a lead and a man advantage, the Union saw the former slip away during a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium. San Jose scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute on an outstanding individual effort by designated player Simon Dawkins.
"It is difficult, disappointing, the guys are gutted. They all feel like we dropped two points, which is the truth, and we have to regroup to face a tough L.A. Galaxy team," Union coach Jim Curtin said.
The Union are off until hosting the Galaxy on May 11.
On the equalizer, Union defender Joshua Yaro made a weak clear that was intercepted by Dawkins about 25 yards out. He dribbled between Tranquillo Barnetta and Warren Creavale, cut past Yaro, and fired a bullet from 16 yards into the lower left corner, past a diving Andre Blake.
"To be down to 10 men, we dug in and stuck together, and thankfully we got a point away from home," Dawkins said.
San Jose (4-2-3) had been a man down since the 59th minute, when midfielder Anibal Godoy earned a red card for picking up his second yellow card of the game after taking down Barnetta.
Last year, the Union's 10-17-7 season was marked by late-game meltdowns. This year's unit is improved, but Saturday showed the Union still have work to do in putting away opponents.
The Union are 4-3-1 for 13 points, one point behind leader Montreal in the the Eastern Conference but with a game in hand on the Impact.
For the second week in a row, Chris Pontius opened the Union's scoring with a big assist from Barnetta. Pontius headed in a Barnetta corner kick in the 30th minute. Teammate Keegan Rosenberry set a pick to free Pontius.
"[Rosenberry] sets a good pick, and Tranquillo delivers the ball, and my job is to put it on frame from there," said Pontius, who has four goals.
The Union had two other major scoring chances in the first half, both by C.J. Sapong. The first came in the 26th minute, when Sapong headed a Sebastien Le Toux chip right at keeper David Bingham. In the 35th minute, Sapong one-timed a Le Toux pass over the goal from inside the six-yard line.
Shortly after the Union earned the man advantage, Sapong just missed from close range.
Later in the half, San Jose began applying more pressure until finally scoring a goal and salvaging a point.
@sjnard