Wild second half leads to a draw between Whitecaps and Union

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CHESTER, PA (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Whitecaps built up a 2-0 lead in the first half but had to score late to salvage a 3-3 draw against the Philadelphia Union. The ‘Caps ran their MLS unbeaten streak to a club record seven games with the result.

Vancouver scored the only two goals in the opening half, and it was the red-hot Erik Hurtado leading the charge. Hurtado scored for a fifth straight match across all competition as he headed home the opening goal in the 18th minute. Hurtado then set up a second goal for Vancouver, as he made a terrific move to break free in the box and then put a ball into Nico Mezquida, who buried his second of the season.

The Whitecaps lost one of their key defenders in the first half, as captain Jay DeMerit went down with a foot injury and had to be replaced by Andy O’Brien in the 24th minute.

The game unravelled for Vancouver during a short span in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Conor Casey headed home Philadelphia’s first goal of the game. Five minutes later, former Whitecap Sebastien Le Toux tied the game, coming off the bench, and then Casey scored again to make it three goals in eight minutes for the Union.

The Whitecaps got back on level terms in the 81st minute. Darren Mattocks was taken down in the box to set up a penalty kick, and Pedro Morales scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Vancouver has three wins and four draws over it’s seven-match unbeaten run. The Whitecaps are now off until Jun. 25, as Major League Soccer takes a two week break for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

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