Union win on controversial penalty kick

CHESTER, Pa -- A trip across the country did little to alleviate the Earthquakes' offensive woes as San Jose fell to the Philadelphia Union, 1-0.

Sebastien Le Toux's penalty kick in the 77th minute proved to be the difference as the Union (4-1-1, 13 points) escaped with a victory despite playing more than half the contest a man down.

A first half marred by chippy play on the pitch at PPL Park turned the Earthquakes' (1-4-2, 5) way when Union defender Jordan Harvey was issued a red card in the 41st minute. Chris Leitch was interfered with by Harvey during an attempted tackle and did a nice job selling it, as his counterpart was sent off.

Before Harvey's ejection, the Earthquakes, who have scored just five goals in seven MLS matches this season, managed just one shot, a laser from well outside the area by Chris Wondolowski that went wide right.

Playing with a man advantage the rest of the way enabled San Jose to a take a few more chances and forced Philadelphia into more of a defensive shell.

The Union made a pair of defensive substitutions at intermission with an eye on keeping things conservative.

Despite the extra attacker the Quakes still had a difficult time generating pressure and weren't able seriously to test Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who recorded his fourth clean sheet in six matches this season.

San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch was sharp as usual, stopping four Philadelphia shots and directing traffic in
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a very hostile environment. However, defender Jason Hernandez was whistled for a handball in the 76th minute on an innocent-looking crossing pass by Amobi Okugo well right of Busch near the end line.

"I went over and tried to make a tackle and break up a cross," a dejected Hernandez said. "I didn't see the ball, and I didn't make a play for it. I just tried to block the cross. I've played a lot of games, and that's the first time I've had that called against me."

Busch was incensed.

"This is my opinion, and I want to stress that because I don't want to be fined, but I think that was a makeup (for the questionable red card)," Busch said. "I have been around for a long time, and you don't make that call. I feel bad for Jason. He played his rear off."

Le Toux, an MLS All-Star last season, took advantage on the penalty kick and slotted his first marker of 2011 past Busch to send the Quakes to their third straight loss and extend their winless streak to five.

San Jose, which generated only six shots and one on net, also remains at the bottom of the Western Conference table.

"We had some chances, and we moved the ball well at times, but it didn't translate," Quakes coach Frank Yallop said. "You have to keep working and moving ahead. I saw some good things today."