Bruno Damiani scored his ninth goal in the past seven games and helped the Philadelphia Union salvage a 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC on Saturday afternoon in Chester, Pa.
The result ended Philadelphia’s eight-match winning streak, which was one shy of tying the MLS record for the post-shootout era. The Union (13-10-7, 46 points) still have never lost under interim coach Ryan Richter, improving to 12-0-3 since the World Cup break.
Milan Iloski also scored for the Union via a penalty kick, while Rodolfo Aloko and Idan Toklomati provided the goals for Charlotte FC (13-9-8, 47 points).
Both teams could clinch Eastern Conference playoff spots if certain results go their way later Saturday.
The Union allowed two straight goals in the second half to fall behind 2-1, but Damiani’s leveler came in the 73rd minute at the end of a short passing sequence between himself and Danley Jean Jacques.
Jean Jacques touched his final pass behind him to Damiani, who unleashed a left-footed one-timer from the 18-yard line that flew past Kristijan Kahlina for his 12th goal this season.
Kahlina made four saves for Charlotte, while Andre Blake stopped three shots for Philadelphia.
The Union scored first as a result of back-to-back handball calls. The first, called near the line but not quite in the box, gave Philadelphia a free kick. Iloski’s free kick touched Pep Biel’s arm inside the box to award the Union a penalty kick, which Iloski slotted home for his 19th goal of the season.
Charlotte remained behind at halftime but tied it in the 48th minute. In Charlotte’s attacking half, Toklomati was the recipient of a throw-in and threaded a pass ahead to Aloko, who broke in on goal and scored on a low, left-footed shot to the right corner.
It was Toklomati’s turn to score in the 62nd minute. David Schnegg sent a deep cross into the center of the box, and Toklomati headed it across his body to the ground, where it took two skips to the far post before Blake could stop it from sneaking in.
Toklomati broke Charlotte’s franchise record for most goals in an MLS regular season with his 13th.
–Field Level Media
