Union, Dynamo play to scoreless tie

There was a fear the Union would be spent emotionally upon their return to Major League Soccer play after Tuesday's 3-1, extra-time loss to the visiting Seattle Sounders in the U.S. Open Cup.

But it wasn't a lack of energy that hurt the Union in a scoreless tie with the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night at PPL Park in Chester. The Union didn't finish several chances, and they ended their season series with Houston at 0-1-2 without scoring a goal in 270 minutes.

"The effort was there, and we created chances," said Maurice Edu, who started at midfield and moved to center back when Amobi Okugo replaced Ethan White in the 52d minute. "We have to be a little more concentrated in the final third and take advantage of our chances."

With five games remaining, the Union are 9-9-11 for 38 points. They fell to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, two behind Columbus. The top five teams will make the playoffs.

One of the best early chances came in the 23d minute off a give-and-go by Sebastien Le Toux and Conor Casey. Dynamo defender David Horst blocked Casey's shot.

Houston, which was offsides seven times, didn't get a shot on goal against Union keeper Rais Mbolhi. The defense wasn't the problem.

"We could have definitely been a little sharper with our final pass, our final shot, our final everything," defender Sheanon Williams said.

The Dynamo have been decimated by injuries and were playing without, among others, leading goal-scorer Will Bruin (foot) and starting keeper Tally Hall (anterior cruciate ligament).

The second half began with a great chance by the Union, but Casey couldn't lift a rebound over Dynamo keeper Tyler Deric, shooting the ball right at him.

In the 84th minute, Deric almost mishandled a Pedro Ribeiro cross, but then pounced on it before the Union could gain control.

Shortly after, Union midfielder Vincent Nogueira was dribbling in on goal but didn't get the call after being taken down by A.J. Cochran in the box.

The crowd of 18,462 voiced its displeasure at not getting a penalty kick. The Union agreed with their fans.

Referee Geoff Gamble "was good on the night, but at the biggest moment he got that one wrong," said interim manager Jim Curtin, whose team had 10 corners.

In the 87th minute, Nogueira just missed on a 20-yard free kick, hooking it wide of the far post.

The pressure continued in stoppage time, but Houston was able to keep alive its shutout string against the Union.

@sjnard