Union fall to Toronto for third straight loss

The Union's offensive struggles continued Saturday, but it wasn't from a lack of chances. Maintaining possession for 65.6 percent of the game and applying plenty of late pressure wasn't enough for the Union in a 1-0 Major League Soccer loss to Toronto FC at PPL Park.

All that pressure resulted in only one shot for the Union.

"We haven't had the quality we would like on the final ball and the final run in the box to get on the end of something," Union coach Jim Curtin said.

The Union (1-6-3) have lost three in a row, while Toronto, which has yet to play a home game, is 3-4.

The Union were playing without forward C.J. Sapong, who was arrested Friday morning and charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence. Sapong will undergo an assessment by the league's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program. According to MLS officials, he will not be eligible to return until that assessment is complete, he is cleared by SABH doctors, and MLS finishes its investigation.

Chris Konopka, the Toms River, N.J., native who made one start for the Union in 2012, saw his first action of the season in goal for Toronto. He replaced the injured Joseph Bendik.

The lone goal was scored in the 34th minute on a 35-yard free kick by forward Sebastian Giovinco, who curled a ball just inside the left post past a diving John McCarthy.

"He hit it good and hit kind of a knuckleball, but I think any goalkeeper would say they don't want to give up a goal from that distance," Curtin said.

McCarthy, making his fifth consecutive start, appeared to react just a bit too late, but he said that wasn't the case.

"I got my hand on it in a full stretch. I wish I got more of my hand because it would have gone wide," McCarthy said. "There is not much I could have done different, I think."

One bright spot was the MLS debut of Union defender Richie Marquez, who entered the game in the fifth minute after midfielder Michael Lahoud suffered a hip pointer. Selected 44th overall in the 2014 draft, Marquez played centerback, and Curtin moved Maurice Edu to the midfield.

Marquez, who saved a goal in the first half by blocking a shot, fared well in his debut.

"I felt ready, and I felt confident," Marquez said.

The Union had a goal nullified in the 79th minute when Fernando Aristeguieta was called offside after heading in a free kick from Cristian Maidana. It was the right call, but for the Union, another wrong result.

@sjnard