Union fall to NYCFC, 2-1

The Union are heading into a two-week break from Major League Soccer games on a serious downer. Despite creating several scoring chances, the Union lost a 2-1 decision to struggling New York City FC on Saturday before 18,517 fans at PPL Park.

NYCFC (2-7-5) entered the game having scored 10 goals, the fewest in MLS.

The Union (4-9-3) next will play in MLS action on June 20 at the Los Angeles Galaxy. They had won three of their previous four games and were playing their best soccer of the season, so this was a major setback.

"It's an empty feeling right now for all the guys," Union coach Jim Curtin said.

The Union can't blame the fact that it was the third game in eight days. They continually applied pressure but failed to finish.

"I thought we were not good in the final third," said defender Sheanon Williams, who created offense with several dangerous runs. "The last pass, last shot, we just weren't good enough and have to be better."

The sellout crowd was silenced when Patrick Mullins scored the game-winner in the 87th minute. Mullins fought off Fabinho and rifled a shot from inside the box.

After a scoreless first half, the Union wasted little time opening the scoring in the second half.

In the 46th minute, C.J. Sapong fought off Jason Hernandez for a ball in the box and converted from 12 yards out. The play was set up by Sebastien Le Toux's corner kick, which fell to Sapong, who scored his third goal in the last four games and fourth overall.

Sapong has been coming off the bench, but he started in place of Fernando Aristeguieta, who was sidelined by an ankle injury.

"The goal was kind of like my last two goals, it dropped at my feet in the right spot and left me with not too much to do [but] put it in the net," Sapong said.

NYCFC got the equalizer in the 53d minute when Thomas McNamara was given plenty of room and curled a 30-yard shot inside the right post for his first goal.

The Union had several chances afterward but could not convert and thus suffered one of the more disappointing losses of the season.