The Philadelphia Union were up a goal and up a man and looked well on their way to keeping their perfect record at Talen Energy Stadium intact on a cool, sunny day in Chester, Pennsylvania. But Simon Dawkins had other ideas.
Dawkins weaved his way through a wave of defenders to score the tying goal in the 83rd minute for the San Jose Earthquakes and allow the visiting 'Quakes to steal a point in a 1-1 draw that snapped a two-game losing streak to the Union. Philadelphia (4-3-1, 3-0-1 at home) had taken the lead in the 30th minute on Chris Pontius' fourth goal of the season, and the Union looked like a lock to take all three points when Anibal Godoy was shown his second yellow card and ejected in the 59th minute.
Union midfielder Brian Carroll was honored before the game for having appeared in 350 games in his MLS career. He made his 350th appearance in the Union’s last game. He was presented with a Union jersey with No. 350 on it signed by teammates.
Box Score
- 30’ – PHI – Chris Pontius (Tranquillo Barnetta)
- 83’ – SJ – Simon Dawkins
- Full box score
- Stats
- Highlights
Three Things
- OPPORTUNITY LOST: With the East-leading Montreal Impact being held to a draw by the Colorado Rapids, the Union had a chance to jump over the Impact and into the top spot in the Eastern Conference. But they failed to capitalize on their man advantage for the final 30-plus minutes, which has been a problem for them in the past.
- HATE TO DO THIS TO YOU, BUT: Simon Dawkins couldn't have picked a better time to score his first goal of the season. Not only did snatch a result for the Earthquakes, but it should give him major bragging rights over his Jamaica teammate, Andre Blake. How much trash talk will Blake have to endure when the two get together for the Reggae Boyz this summer at the Copa América Centenario?
- CHANCES NOT TAKEN: C.J. Sapong will be thinking about two chances, one in the first half, and one in the second, where he could have put the Union up two goals and didn't. The first was in the 35th minute, when he slid onto a ball from Sebastien Le Toux and somehow kicked it over the crossbar with an open goal in front of him, and the second was in the 60th, when he slid onto a headed pass from Chris inside the six-yard box and pushed it wide. Either chance might have been enough to seal the full points for Philadelphia.
Next Up
