Old Ghosts Come Back to Haunt Union in Saturday's Draw

CHESTER, Pa. -- Old ghosts returned to haunt the Union on Saturday.

Against the San Jose Earthquakes at Talen Energy Stadium, the Union, while up a man because of a red card ejection, blew their one-goal lead in the 83rd minute, turning a surefire win to a 1-1 draw (see story).

"We got a little careless with the ball," said Union manager Jim Curtin, whose club is off to a hot start at 4-3-1, good for second the in the Eastern Conference. "We got caught between pushing for the second goal and going into a defensive posture."

That carelessness ended up with the ball in the Union's net when Simon Dawkins, looking for his first of the season, danced by Warren Creavalle, Tranquillo Barnetta and finally Josh Yaro, before passing his low shot between Andre Blake and the left post.

"On the play, six or seven guys could've bailed us out," Curtin said. "It's difficult, disappointing and the guys are gutted."

The late collapse and second-half mistake sent shivers down the spine of the Union faithful, who have seen this before. Last season, the Union blew a total of 12 points from the 74th minute on - turning five draws into losses, two wins into draws and one win into a loss.

Saturday was another one.

"I don't believe that's our identity anymore," Union midfielder Warren Creavalle said. "I believe today, we had one lapse. We have to have a killer instinct and finish out games."

Ray Gaddis, who's been through the ups and downs over his five seasons with the Union, also isn't ready to call the match more of the same. Instead, he saw Saturday as an inexperienced club's bitter pill to swallow in order to get better.

"It's a lesson learned," he said. "Especially for some newer players. It's a new team this year, so it's a lesson learned. The positive is we came away with a point and we're still at the top of the table. We'll learn from this, and I thought we played well, but we have to finish out the game. It's a good lesson to learn early in the season."

Remaining optimistic, Sebastien Le Toux agreed.

"It's how we learn and we have to pass by these mistakes and be a better team," he said. "It's good we get a point. Maybe last year we lose this game, but this year we are stronger. We'll make sure everyone is ready for the Galaxy on Wednesday."