SANDY, UT - After a disappointing draw in their season opener the Philadelphia Union traveled to Utah to take on Real Salt Lake in their home opener. In a wild and open affair the match ended in a 3-3 draw that featured a combined seven yellow cards, an own goal and a controversial penalty. Salt Lake lost only once at home last season but for much of the game looked like they would lose their home opener.

The game was played at a frenetic pace throughout and both teams had quality chances to score. Javier Morales opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a rocket free kick that left Union goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi with no chance to stop it. The lead would last just barely five minutes as new Union striker Fernando Aristeguieta opened his account when he headed home a rebound in the 34th minute. Cristian Maidana played a ball in from the right wing that deflected off a defender, forcing Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando to react quickly. Rimando was able to block the ball but knocked it right into the path of Aristeguieta, who calmly headed it home.

Four minutes later, the Maidana-Aristeguieta combination worked again. Maidana caught the defense sleeping with a throw in over the top to Aristeguieta, who fired it into the far side of the net.

The 2-1 halftime lead did not last long as the home side came out flying to start the second half. In the 55th minute Morales took a free kick from the right wing. In the ensuing goalmouth scramble Jamison Olave pounced on the loose ball and scored to tie the game.

Just when it looked like Real was finding their groove and taking control of the game, Olave gifted the Union the lead when he headed a Maidana cross into his own net. The own goal occurred in the 58th minute.

As the game headed toward the finish it looked like the Union would finally figure out how to close out a match on the road against a good opponent. Unfortunately referee Allen Chapman thought he spotted Maurice Edu pulling down Luke Mulholland as he dribbled into the penalty area. Without hesitation Chapman called a penalty that was vehemently argued against by Union players and Aristeguieta was given a yellow card for dissent. Alvaro Saborio drilled the kick past M’Bolhi for the 86th minute equalizer and left the Union fuming and frustrated by yet another late goal that cost them a win.

Real won the possession battle (60.3%-39.7%) but the stats were fairly even overall. Mulholland was asked after the game if he thought it was a penalty. “Was it a penalty? In my book, no,” Mulholland said.

Union manager Jim Curtin said after the game, “I have a bunch of men on my team that fought hard and deserved three points. And I think they got let down at the end of the game.”

Overall, the performance was much better this week for the Union than it was last week against Colorado. It was good to see Aristeguieta get his first two goals in Union colors and the club can take comfort in the fact that they played well enough to win in a very difficult place. The Union return to PPL Park Friday night when they host FC Dallas.