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Earnshaw stuns Union with late equalizer

Oct 3, 2014 - 2:10 AM Chester, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Robert Earnshaw's stoppage-time equalizer dealt the Philadelphia Union a huge blow on Thursday as the team was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at PPL Park with the Chicago Fire.

The Union looked to have grabbed a big win in the 88th minute when Amobi Okugo finally put the hosts in front.

But a terrible giveaway by Union goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi handed Earnshaw the equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time, keeping the Union two points back of fifth-place Red Bull New York for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The draw is a big blow to Philadelphia, which has now played one more game than New York and has just three remaining in the season, while Chicago has set a new MLS record with its 17th draw of the campaign.

Chicago won't figure into the postseason mix, but Thursday's result is a huge blow the Union's playoff chances.

The game really struggled to get going in the first 88 minutes, and the Union had the best two scoring opportunities as Vincent Nogueira fired a shot just over the crossbar from 20 yards late in the first half before Cristian Maidana's first-time effort skipped inches past the right post in the 56th minute.

Despite the rather poor display, the Union were poised to snatch the win in the 88th when a right-wing cross from Danny Cruz was knocked down inside the box by Brian Brown, allowing Okugo to fire the ball past goalkeeper Sean Johnson from 12 yards.

However, Chicago made the most of a gift from Mbolhi, whose poor clearance in stoppage time was hit straight to Earnshaw, allowing the striker to get in on goal and send a delicate chip over the netminder and into the back of the net.