It was an early blitz that shocked DC United and Philadelphia Union fans alike in a goal filled first half at RFK Stadium on Sunday afternoon. However, the quickfire start was not the story of the match. No, that was the shocking collapse for the Union. 

Union get off to dream start

Just 21, seconds into the match United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was pulling the ball out of the back of the net after CJ Sapong slotted home from close range following a poor back pass from Davy Arnaud.

But in a series of stunning events, Philadelphia would add a second just moments later. Sebastian Le Toux, positioned on the left for this match dribbled through several players and hit a pass across the face of goal to Sapong who appeared to knock it in, as the ball crossed the side of his foot. The goal would later be attributed to the Frenchman with Sapong adjudged not to have touched it.

Eight minutes in new signing Alvaro Saborio would get DC's first shot on goal, heading wide following a delivery from a Fabian Espindola free kick. 

Possession would exchange hands back and forth until DC United earned a corner in the 12th minute that saw Espindola's shot fly into the body of Ray Gaddis before being cleared moments later.

Then in the 20th min DC keeper Dykstra would come out of his box to clear the ball away in dramatic fashion to prevent a third Philadelphia goal. 

Despite several blocked shots from distance, it would take until the 22 minute for DC to formulate another serious challenge on goal when Chris Rolfe's chipped pass over two Philadelphia defenders found Saborio, whose shot dragged agonizingly just wide of goal. 

DC would again come agonizingly close to goal in the 26th minute when Espindola's cross from deep found Saborio in the box, who out muscled both center backs, but his shot flew wide of goal and the second opportunity was also put wide by the head of Chris Rolfe. 

In an instance of poor decision making, Christian Maidana received the ball on the right side of the DC United's box and let one rip in the 30th minute which didn't trouble the goalkeeper.

United spurn golden chance to get back into match

In the 32nd minute, Espindola would play Arnaud into the box before being taken down for a penalty. Espindola stepped up only to sky his shot into the stands. 

Just moments later, he would try to make amends in spectacular fashion when Rolfe found Espindola with a cross from the left, but Espindola's bicycle effort flew wide of goal. 

United pull one back

DC United would manage to pull one back in the 37th minute when Taylor Kemp's dribbling lost Fabinho, and he found Saborio with a cross across the face of goal which the striker touched into the back of the net.

Just a minute later, Philadelphia completed a similar move as Fabinho drove forward and sent a cross to the head of Eric Ayuk. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the man from Cameroon couldn't convert from close range.

Philadelphia were fortunate not concede a second in the 44th minute when a header took a fortunate deflection toward goal following a corner, only to fall into the hands of goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. 

The second half began in far less spectacular fashion with DC maintaining early possession. The fairly dull start to the half suited Philadelphia, but they were unable to stop the United comeback.

Philadelphia would get the first look on goal of the half, albeit a less than stellar opportunity when Ayuk on the counter attack failed to find the feet of Sapong in the 50th minute.

The second half's first shot would however come from DC when Chris Korb tried his luck from the edge of the box in the 51st minute, but the shot proved to cause Sylvestre few problems as he dove to catch it effortlessly. 

Philadelphia fans would have their hearts in their throats in the 54th minute when Espindola dragged Gaddis out of position and his pass found the head of Saborio, whose header flew just wide of the post. This unfortunately, would not be the only time this would occur in the second half.

It would be DC United once again going forward in the 62nd minute as Espindola's shot deflected out for a corner, but the ensuing corner would drift straight out of play for a goal kick. 

United find an equalizer

United would finally find their equalizer in the 66th minute much to the dismay of Union fans as Espindola's shot was parried by Sylvestre only for the rebound to be knocked in by Nick DeLeon, following some ball watching by the much criticized Fabinho.

Philadelphia would come close to regaining the lead in the 75th minute when Maidana's cross found a rising Fred in the box, but the Brazilian's header would float just above the bar and out for a goal kick.

United pull ahead

Philadelphia would however not quite as they once again came within inches of the winner in the 77th minute when Maurice Edu, marauding forward from center back played Sapong in on goal whose burst of acceleration put him past DC's center backs but his shot agonisingly hit the crossbar.

However, it was not to be for Philadelphia as DC took the lead in the 78th minute when Korb's cross from the right wing found a rising Espindola who headed home for the goal.

Philadelphia would once again hit the crossbar in the 83rd minute in their desperate search for an equalizer, this time through substitute Fernando as Dykstra pushed the ball up and out just to be safe. The Union would hit the woodwork a second time just moments later when Ethan White smashed a shot from the edge of the box but this would be as close as they'd come to finding their equalizing goal. The two teams exchanged possession briefly and then the referee blew his whistle to confirm Philadelphia's spectacular collapse.

Despite a late push, Philadelphia failed to find an equalizer as the Union couldn't take advantage of their opportunity to grab a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

As for DC, the win cements their place at the top of the Eastern conference as well as joint leaders in the supporters shield race with FC Dallas.

Philadelphia return home on August 1st to face familiar foes New York Red Bulls for the second time in two weeks.

As for DC United, they welcome Alvaro Saborio's former side Real Salt Lake, also on August 1st.