A missed penalty kick and a terrible giveaway on the back line were the difference between a 2-1 win and a 2-1 loss for the Philadelphia Union in their first game of the Suncoast Invitational Tournament on Saturday.
CJ Sapong had his penalty kick saved in the 30th minute after he drew a foul in the box from Ulises Segura. DC United goalkeeper Steve Clark got a hand on the shot and deflected off the underside of the bar and out.
It would have put the Union on level terms after a brutal opening 15 minutes that saw Darren Mattocks threaten on a number of counter attacks sprung by poor turnovers and then head home a whipped in cross from Zoltan Stieber at the far post in the 14th minute.