Union Allow Goal In Final Seconds, Tie Real Salt Lake 2-2
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Javier Morales scored on a penalty kick in the closing seconds of stoppage time to lift Real Salt Lake to a 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.
Luis Gil also had a goal as Salt Lake (10-5-4) extended its unbeaten streak to 11 matches, including US Open Cup play, while outscored opponents 27-9.
Conor Casey had a goal and an assist, and Sebastien Le Toux also scored for the Union (7-5-6), winless in six matches against Salt Lake.
Morales earned a penalty kick after Raymon Gaddis was called for a handball. Morales bounced the ball off the right post and sent it inside the left post to seal Salt Lake's comeback.
Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead on Le Toux's goal in the 13th minute. Casey pushed the ball down the right flank and sidestepped a sliding Carlos Salcedo near the end line to feed a cross into Le Toux in the goalmouth. Le Toux tapped the ball behind goalkeeper Josh Saunders as he dove forward for it.
Salt Lake nearly tied things up in the 19th minute as Joao Plata crossed the ball from the right wing into Robbie Findley, who had great position inside the 6 yard box. Findley headed the ball forward just as Sheanon Williams knocked him off-balance. It sent Findley's header on an angle that forced it just outside the right post.
Gil came off the bench and provided the breakthrough goal in the 75th minute, winning the ball on a corner kick from Morales and heading it home to tie the score.
Philadelphia regained the lead a minute later when Antoine Hoppenot stripped the ball away from Nat Borchers on the right flank. He drew Saunders off the line with a challenge threat and fed a pass to a wide open Casey at the top of the box. Casey blasted an uncontested shot down the middle to put the Union ahead 2-1.
Philadelphia gained a man advantage in the 59th minute after Salt Lake defender Lovell Palmer was ejected with a red card. Palmer earned the red card after a hard challenge on Union midfielder Michael Farfan. After the play, Farfan limped off the field and did not return.
Both teams were missing players due to commitments to national teams. Salt Lake played without regular starters Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman, Tony Beltran and Alvaro Saborio. Philadelphia did not have Keon Daniel or MLS leading scorer Jack McIneerney.
