Dallas hands Union first loss, 2-0

Before Saturday, all three matches at PPL Park between the Union and FC Dallas had ended with neither team able to escape Chester with a win.

That ended Saturday, however, as Dallas extended its season-opening win streak to three with a 2-0 win over the Union, in a game postponed a day by snow.

Still in search of their first victory of the 2015 season, the Union (0-1-2) have never beaten Dallas (3-0-0) in eight attempts - three losses and five ties.

The Union's chances for victory were limited after midfielder Zack Pfeffer drew a red card for what appeared to be an elbow to the head of Mauro Diaz in the 41st minute of a scoreless game and was ejected.

"The red card happens, and credit to Dallas because they outplayed us from that point on," Union manager Jim Curtin said. "Any time you are going to play down a man . . . for about 50 or 60 minutes, it is going to be difficult."

Pfeffer, who was flashed the red immediately after what was clearly an infraction, was somewhat perplexed by his quick ejection, explaining later to his teammates that there was no intent on his part.

"I was just going so fast, and he kind of slipped a little bit," Pfeffer explained. "I think it looked a lot worse than it was. But there was no intent. It's a shame because I thought we were playing pretty good at the time."

That changed at the start of the second half.

Dallas scored the decisive goal in the 49th minute, with midfielder Tesho Akindele beating Union keeper Raïs M'Bolhi, pouncing on an error by defender Fabio Alves, and finishing with a score to the far post.

Ten minutes later, the Western Conference leaders struck again, this time with Fabian Castillo feeding Ryan Hollingshead.

The Union will try to earn their first win of the season next week at Chicago.