CHESTER, Pa. — RSL survived an opening-half onslaught, then salvaged a draw on Saturday night in Major League Soccer action.
Fabian Espindola scored in the 53rd minute to lift Real Salt Lake into 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union.
Keon Daniel notched his first career goal in the 24th minute for Philadelphia, heading a cross from Michael Farfan past Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
It was one of five quality shots for Philly in the opening half.
“I knew they were going to get their chances. They’re a good team, but I was prepared. I think all the guys were prepared,” Rimano said. “Again, we knew it was going to be a hard game; it wasn’t going to be easy.”
Philadelphia (6-3-4) remains unbeaten at home (4-0-3).
Real Salt Lake improved to 2-2-2 on the road and 6-3-3 overall.
“We felt that it was a tale of two halves,” RSL coach Jason Kreis said. “We were pretty abysmal in the first half. We weren’t fighting enough, we didn’t have that competitive spirit, we were second to everything.
“In fact, we were fortunate that we only allowed one goal. But then the reaction in the second half was fantastic, superb,” he said.
The Union have a four-match unbeaten streak and moved into a tie for the Eastern Conference lead with the New York Red Bulls.
Neither Real Salt Lake nor Philadelphia could convert good scoring opportunities in the last 15 minutes.
The best was a header by Union forward Danny Mwanga in the 83rd minute that sailed just over the crossbar.
“Whenever you lose a game and you come back and at least get a point on the road (you’re pleased),” Rimando said of the draw. “We didn’t have all of our guys, so to come here and get a point is good.”
• EARTHQUAKES 4, D.C. UNITED 2: At Washington, Steven Lenhart had his first three-goal game in MLS in San Jose’s victory over D.C. United.
Lenhart also assisted on Simon Dawkins’ goal that gave San Jose (5-4-4) a 3-2 lead in the 49th minute.
Lenhart chipped the ball into the box, and Dawkins darted up the middle to score to help the Earthquakes win for the fourth time in five matches.
After Andy Najar gave United (4-5-4) the lead in the 13th minute, Lenhart scored twice in a 7-minute span. United tied it in the 34th minute on Blake Brettschneider first career goal, but couldn’t extend their five-game unbeaten streak.
Lenhart completed the hat trick with a header in the 60th minute.
The Earthquakes, who haven’t lost in their last six games, have scored six goals in their last two games despite missing scoring leader Chris Wondolowski. He’s on Gold Cup duty for the United States, who also played on Saturday.
• DYNAMO 2, CHIVAS USA 1: At Houston, Houston took advantage of Chivas USA’s own goal in the 55th minute to end a seven-game winless streak and snap Chivas USA’s unbeaten streak at three games.
The deciding goal came off Brad Davis’ corner kick. Michael Lahoud hit the ball out of the goal mouth, but it pinballed off of Chivas USA’s Heath Pearce and into his own goal.
Marcos Mondaini opened the scoring for Chivas USA (4-5-5) in the seventh minute, and Geoff Cameron tied it for Houston (4-5-6) in the 29th minute with a header off Davis’ free kick.
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