MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Earn Crucial Road Point vs. Rival D.C. United

October 12, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


Washington, D.C. (Oct. 12, 2013) - Philadelphia Union (12-10-10) earned a draw on the road against D.C. United Saturday evening at RFK Stadium, as forward Jack McInerney scored in the 90th minute to level the match and give the Union a point in a packed Eastern Conference playoff race.

Union forward Jack McInerney snapped his 17-game scoring slump with a beautiful header at the end of stoppage time to preserve a 1-1 draw against D.C. United at RFK Stadium.

With a well-timed run to the back post, McInerney snapped down a header to score his 11th goal of the season. The goal nullified one in the 36th minute from D.C. United's Nick DeLeon, who took advantage of space in front of him and wet turf courtesy of a steady downpour, to unleash a 35-yard rocket past MacMath.

In elation, McInerney picked up a yellow card for excessive celebration, but with the frustration that was lifted with one snap of his head, the card was the least of his concerns.

"It's been tough, you know? And the longer I go, the more frustrating it got," said McInerney postgame. "But you have to keep fighting and pushing; I have proven that I can score, so I just needed to keep my head up and now that I have this one, I just hope that I can get this going."

McInerney proved to be one of Hackworth's savviest decisions of the night, making the 21-year-old his final substitution of the night looking for a last gasp of offense - assuredly hoping that if McInerney were looking to break out of his funk, it would be against a team that earlier in the year he was a hero against.

Albeit against a struggling rival, it was a positive result given Hackworth had more to deal with throughout the match than perhaps ever this entire season. For starters, he was without two of his own in starting right back Sheanon Williams and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho due to suspension. Just 16 minutes into the affair with a shuffled lineup, reliable utility man Sebastien Le Toux was forced to leave the match after the nagging bout of plantar fasciitis he's been battling made it tough for Le Toux to keep pace.

Le Toux, customarily a forward-midfielder started the match at right back to fill the void. Matt Kassel, who has seen limited minutes this year, came on to replace him.

"We were dealing with a lot of changes this week, but we also need to realize that D.C. is a much better team than people realize," said Hackworth. "The expectations that we were going to come in and get three points were unrealistic; but with that said, I don't think our guys came out and approached the game the way they should've in the first half, and it hurt us."

Despite the point, The Union (12-10-10, 46 points) sit below the playoff bubble as Chicago leapfrogged by virtue of a win over FC Dallas Saturday. The Union travel to Montreal next Saturday for a 2 p.m. showdown at Stade Saputo (The Comcast Network) before a return for the season finale at PPL Park against Sporting Kansas City. Montreal suffered a 1-0 loss against surging New England earlier Saturday. In an effort to make the MLS postseason, Montreal's back is very much against the wall.

"The one thing Montreal has going for them is that they are at home next week," said Hackworth. "But we've been a good road team; I think coming back in the road here [against D.C. United] was a massive thing. We'll be at full strength somewhat...and we plan to have our guys rested and ready this week so that we can come out and put on a better performance."

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