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Union, DCU meet in key East battle at RFK

Sep 26, 2014 - 8:38 PM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of Eastern Conference rivals will clash on Saturday as the Philadelphia Union travel to RFK Stadium to battle D.C. United.

The Union come into Saturday's tilt in the thick of the playoff race with 38 points to sit in sixth place in the East, while riding a a five-match unbeaten streak in league play.

Last time out, Philadelphia was left to rue several missed opportunities as the club couldn't find the back of the net and were held to a scoreless draw at PPL Park against the Houston Dynamo.

The Union had clear-cut chances in the sixth, 26th and 36th minutes through rugged forward Conor Casey, but perhaps the best chance could have come with six minutes to play as Vincent Noguiera appeared to be taken down in the box by Houston's A.J. Cochran, but no call was made.

"I think we gave it a good effort but couldn't get the one goal we needed for three points," said Union forward Sebastien Le Toux. "We played hard and I think were a little bit unlucky. We got some chances to score but it ended up a scoreless draw and we leave with one point.

"I think we're a little bit disappointed. The playoff race still has a long way to go. We have five matches left. We could have used three points tonight but we have to come back strong and get ready for the next one. Every match from here on out is going to be big."

United is in no danger of missing the postseason as the club comes into Saturday at the top of the East with 48 points, but Ben Olsen's side will be hungry for three points as they chase the Supporters' Shield.

Last time out, United rallied from am early 2-0 hole to claim a 3-3 draw with the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park.

Chicago had the better of the play for most of the opening half and found the back of the net after 16 minutes when Quincy Amarikwa fired home off an assist from rookie Harrison Shipp.

The hosts then doubled their lead in the 32nd minute after Jeff Larentowicz buried a penalty kick.

But United got back into the match in the 39th minute after Silva fired home a penalty kick to send the sides into the break at 2-1 for Chicago.

United then seized control as the second half wore on. Silva bagged his second of the day in the 54th minute to equalize before defender Bobby Boswell gave the visitors the lead in the 68th minute.

Chicago pulled back an equalizer with 12 minutes to play through Matt Watson's second goal of the season that forced the clubs to settle for a point apiece.

"Down 2-0, we were travel-weary early in the game, just a little bit out of sync in the first half, and I thought our subs came in and really changed the game," said Olsen. "Their energy was good, and the entire team just raised it a level in the second half. Its not always perfect, you don't always play at your best, and you find ways to keep inching along. We did that tonight."