Union earn a point in KC

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (September 23, 2011) – Sébastien Le Toux canceled out Omar Bravo's second-half goal as Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City each earned a point Friday night at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.

Behind a strong performance from rookie goalkeeper Zac MacMath, Philadelphia's defense held a dangerous Sporting attack to a single goal after the two sides played to a 0-0 draw at PPL Park in June.

With the draw, the Union (9-7-13) sit one point back of both Kansas City and the Columbus Crew with a game in hand on KC.

The Union had the first chance of the game just two minutes in when Le Toux found himself all alone on goal. Shooting on an angle, the Frenchman sent his tight-angle sho wide of Jimmy Nielsen’s back post.

Sporting tested rookie goalkeeper Zac MacMath for the first time six minutes later when Matt Besler’s long throw ricocheted around the six-yard box, eventually falling to the feet of Kei Kamara. Kamara took a swing with his left foot but scuffed the shot, allowing MacMath to fall on the effort.

After several early chances, neither side created many scoring opportunities for much of the remainder of the first half.

Sporting nearly struck first in the 40th minute from Jeferson’s well-struck corner kick. Kamara rose above his marker and put his effort off the top of the crossbar.

Sporting would strike first in the 56th minute. Kamara chipped to the far post for Bravo, who finished from close-range in the 56th minute for his team-high ninth goal of the season.

The Union answered right back, though, as substitute Jack McInerney came inches away from sneaking a ball past Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen at the near post a few minutes after coming on for Veljko Paunović.

In the 63rd minute, Philadelphia found their equalizer when Michael Farfan did well to keep the ball alive on the touchline, eventually picking out Le Toux lurking at the corner of the six-yard box for his team-leading eighth goal of the season and seventh in as many games.

Despite both team’s trading half chances the final 20 minutes, neither was able to break through, preserving a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

The Union return to action this Thursday, taking on D.C. United in the second-to-last regular season game of 2011 at PPL Park. The Eastern Conference showdown will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

    

Scoring Summary:

KC -- Omar Bravo 9 (Kei Kamara 4) 56

PHI -- Sebastien Le Toux 8 (Michael Farfan 2) 63

Misconduct Summary:

PHI -- Carlos Valdes (caution; Reckless Foul) 60

Lineups:

Philadelphia Union -- Zac MacMath, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Gabriel Farfan, Kyle Nakazawa (Zach Pfeffer 62), Roger Torres (Stefani Miglioranzi 72), Amobi Okugo, Brian Carroll, Michael Farfan, Sebastien Le Toux, Veljko Paunovic (Jack McInerney 56).

Substitutes Not Used: Morgan Langley, Ryan Richter, Joe Tait, Karry Harrison.

Sporting KC -- Jimmy Nielsen, Chance Myers, Julio Cesar, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic, Kei Kamara, Roger Espinoza, Graham Zusi, Jeferson (Aurelien Collin 46), Omar Bravo (Soony Saad 89), Teal Bunbury (C.J. Sapong 62).

Substitutes Not Used: Davy Arnaud, Michael Harrington, Peterson Joseph, Eric Kronberg.

Referee: Baldomero Toledo

Referee's Assistants: -Fabio Tovar; George Gansner

4th Official: Juan Guzman

Time of Game: 1:52

Weather: Sunny-and-71-degrees

Attendance: 18,778