MLS wrap: Union scrape win, Magee earns point for LA

Philadelphia Union stay top of the MLS Eastern Conference after a 3-2 win over Chivas USA on Saturday, while LA Galaxy had goalkeeper drama.

Facing the second-from-bottom side in the Western Conference, Philadelphia were expected to win but headed into their home match without a win in four matches and low on confidence.

Things did not look good for the hosts when Michael Umana opened the scoring for Chivas after 28 minutes, ensuring Union went into half-time behind and in need of a lift.

That came from veteran Serbian striker Veljko Paunovic, who scored just three minutes into the second half to provide the perfect start for Philadelphia.

Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz – fresh from Gold Cup duty – was next on the scoresheet with his 69th-minute strike.

Much to the shock of the PPL Park crowd, however, Chivas USA got a second when Justin Braun opened his account with 13 minutes remaining.

It set up an exciting finale and Philadelphia were able to pinch a winner through Congalese striker Danny Mwanga’s goal eight minutes from time.

In other matches, FC Dallas moved second in the Western Conference after a 4-0 win over the Portland Timbers.

Zach Loyd, George John, Brek Shea and Jackson Goncalves all scored during the rout, which saw Dallas rebound in their first home match since a shock 4-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on June 12.

A spot above Dallas in the west, the Los Angeles Galaxy held hosts San Jose Earthquakes to a 0-0 draw, despite losing goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to injury and then substitute shot-stopper Josh Saunders to a 43rd-minute red card for a hit on Steve Lenhart.

Strike Matt Magee stood in goal for the remainder of the game, performign soundly when called upon as the Galaxy escaped with a point.

Sporting KC came from behind in their 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps thanks to strikes from Mexican frontman Omar Bravo and Brazilian defender Julio Cesar.

Veteran Brian Ching’s 89th-minute equaliser gave the Houston Dynamo a dramatic 2-2 draw with DC United while Alvaro Alberto Saborio struck a double as Real Salt Lake were 3-1 winners over Toronto FC.