Union fall to Revolution, 1-0

The Union not only lost a game Saturday as their dwindling playoff hopes continue to fade, but they also lost their best player, and it could be for quite some time.

During second-half stoppage time of a 1-0 Major League Soccer loss to the New England Revolution at PPL Park, Union midfielder Cristian Maidana earned a red card. Maidana, who entered the game with a league-high 14 assists, fouled Lee Nguyen. "Violent conduct" was the reason given for the red card.

"Maidana was sent off after deliberately spitting at an opponent on the ground," referee Chris Penso told a pool reporter.

In addition to missing Saturday's game at San Jose for the red card, Maidana could receive more time off depending on what the MLS disciplinary committee rules.

Maidana saw it differently than Penso did.

"I always chew gum when I play and didn't have any intention of spitting on a player," Maidana said through an interpreter. "That wasn't what I was trying to do. It could have happened that my gum fell out of my mouth at the moment, but it wasn't an intentional thing and wasn't something I intentionally tried to do."

The Union (7-14-6, 27 points) have just seven MLS games remaining.

New England (10-9-7, 37 points), appears headed for the postseason. The Revolution have won two one-goal games at PPL Park this year.

New England's Diego Fagundez got the score in the 51st minute. Fagundez received a terrific one-touch pass from Charlie Davies and took several touches before firing a shot from the top of the box into the lower left corner.

The New England forward was given too much room by defender Richie Marquez, and he had all day to dribble and shoot.

"There was too much space, and the shot went by me, through me, whatever you call it, and it was unfortunate, but it happened," Marquez said.

Union keeper Andre Blake didn't move much and seemed stunned when the shot was taken.

"I kind of lost sight of the ball for a second," said Blake, who will miss the Union's next game while competing in two World Cup qualifiers for Jamaica.

After that, the Union appeared lifeless for long stretches.

"In the second half I thought we were poor and thought there was a big drop-off," Union coach Jim Curtin said.

The Union had many better chances in the first half, but Revolution keeper Bobby Shuttleworth made some nice saves. The Union also failed to capitalize on chances from close range.