Dallas Squeaks Out Questionable Equalizer Over Union

Chester, PA – It seems to be the theme these past few weeks, but it was a horribly hot day down on the banks of the Delaware yesterday evening when the Union took on FC Dallas from PPL Park.  The heat was almost forgotten about late in the match when Aaron “Thor” Wheeler came on and immediately picked up what looked like would be the winning goal of the game.  It was not to be, though, as Dallas would pick up a very late equalizer, ending the match in a 2-2 draw, leaving fans scratching their heads and, yet again, questioning some controversial refereeing.

First Half:

In a match that saw Allen Chapman give a total of ten yellow cards, two of which would be a double on Je-Vaughn Watson, they came fast and furious, starting early on in the second minute with a caution showed to Dallas’ Fabian Castillo.  While another yellow card wouldn’t be shown until the 37th minute, the slow pace of the match, due to many a stoppage from Chapman, may have actually given the Union a slight advantage.

With Dallas unable to get into any kind of rhythm, Philadelphia capitalized, scoring a goal in the 20th minute to take the lead.  Amobi Okugo would run right past the Hoops defense, picking up a trademark Sheanon William throw in and slamming the ball into the back of the net off a monster header.  Unfortunately for the U, Dallas would get right back into the game with an equalizer four minutes later from Walker Zimmerman.

Second Half:

The Union, for the second week in a row, benefitted from a red card, with Je-Vaughn Watson being shown his second yellow on a simulation call in the 68th minute.  Philadelphia would not capitalize on man advantage until the 87th.  Minutes before, rookie Aaron Wheeler would come on for Conor Casey.  The move would pay off when a Williams cross, picking up his second assist of the night, found Aaron Wheeler, who’s header was able to beat Raúl Fernández.  With just three minutes left in regulation, it looked as if the Union were about to win their first ever match against FC Dallas.

The fourth official may have had other ideas, adding five questionable minutes to the end of the match and giving Dallas plenty of time to equalize.  Six in a half minutes into the five, yes you read that right, the Hoops still hadn’t equalized…that is until they did, seven minutes into stoppage time.  When Zac MacMath failed to keep his hands on a ball that came off a late free kick, there was a mad scramble in the box.  In that scramble, MacMath was clearly interfered with, leaving the net wide open for Blas Pérez’s headed goal.  A match that perhaps should have ended 2-1 for the Boys in Blue, ended in a 2-2 draw.

Next Match:

With the draw, the Union remain in second place, with Montreal still in first despite a 4-3 loss to Colorado last night.  They’ll have a short week to prepare, as they travel to Utah to take on Real Salt Lake this Wednesday.  Kick-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on The Comcast Network.  PSL will have full match coverage including a PSL Five preview, live Twitter play-by-play and a post match recap.