Sapong's late score earns Union a tie in N.Y.

NEW YORK - For the second straight match, the Union benefited from a late-game charge.

C.J. Sapong's goal in the 86th minute gave the Union a 1-1 draw with New York City FC in a chippy Major League Soccer game Thursday before 20,461 at Yankee Stadium. There were eight yellow cards, five on New York.

On Saturday the Union beat the same team, 2-1, by scoring a goal in second-half stoppage time.

"We thought we should have been on the right end of results early [in the season] and gave up late goals," said Union coach Jim Curtin, whose team is now 1-3-3. "To score a late one and stick with it, the guys showed a lot of fight."

This game almost felt like a win for the Union, who were outplayed for long stretches. NYCFC failed on several scoring chances.

Union keeper John McCarthy also made some big saves.

The Union goal was set up when Cristian Maidana sent a long ball into the box that defender Maurice Edu won and flicked to Sapong, trailing the play. From close range Sapong scored his first goal for the Union.

"Chaco [Maidana] played a good ball there and I just tried to not put it on target but put it in a dangerous spot," said Edu, who had been questionable with a hamstring injury. "C.J. was alert and did well to finish it off."

Even without standout midfielder Mix Diskerud, who played Wednesday in the U.S. national team's 2-0 win in a friendly over Mexico, New York (1-2-3) was constantly on the attack in a scoreless first half.

There were several great chances, none better than when designated player and dangerous forward David Villa sent a back pass to Mehdi Ballouchy. Running on goal, Ballouchy shot over the crossbar from a few yards out.

Villa kept the Union defenders on their toes with his outstanding ball control and moves. He hurt his hamstring and was replaced in the second half by Kwadwo Poku.

New York finally capitalized in the 57th minute when Ballouchy took a pass from Khiry Shelton, bought himself some room against defender Ray Gaddis, and then fired a shot from just inside the box that sailed inside the far post.