Union falls to Real Salt Lake, 2-1

SANDY, Utah - If the Union were going to turn things around in time to break into the Major League Soccer playoffs, Saturday night would have been a good moment.

But coming off nearly two weeks of rest and playing against a Real Salt Lake side missing eight players to injuries and international duty, the Union failed to capitalize on its opportunities, falling 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium near Salt Lake City.

The Union fell behind in the 18th minute when Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman bounced a short corner off teammate Paulo Araujo Jr., made a looping run around the penalty box and, finding no challengers, took an open shot from deep outside the 18 past late-diving Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

Starting from the same corner eight minutes later, Beckerman set a cross into the middle of a packed goal box, where 6-foot-4 forward Chris Schuler made it 2-0 with solid header.

Sebastien Le Toux kept things close in the 30th minute with a one-touch volley off the cross of midfielder Justin Mapp.

Philadelphia had limited other chances. In the 13th minute, Mapp buzzed the turf to get a head on a low cross, but missed right. Three minutes later, dancing off the right touchline, forward Danny Mwanga sent a rocket across a goalmouth crowded with Union players, but was picked off by Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

Rimando smothered another opportunity in the 60th minute, when Mapp found himself alone with the ball and with a clear shot on goal near the penalty spot, but shot the ball at the MLS All-Star keeper's feet.

Union team officials announced at halftime the substitution of Mondragon, who reportedly broke a finger stopping one of Real's four first-half shots. Stepping into the box was Zac MacMath, who was drafted in January but had yet to see any MLS league action.

The Union, now winless in its last six matches, held fast to 34 points - leaving them firmly in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings with nine games to go.