Kacper Przybylko scores first Union goal in 1-1 tie at Vancouver Whitecaps

Polish striker Kacper Przybylko scored his first MLS goal to pull the Philadelphia Union even in the 66th minute in a 1-1 tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at BC Place.

Making his first start for the Union (4-3-2, 14 points), Przybylko got past defenders Doniel Henry and Erik Godoy and beat goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau with a low shot. Philadelphia’s Matt Freese, a Wayne native and Union academy product who also made his first start, made four saves. Henry scored for Vancouver (1-5-3, 6 points) in the 41st minute.

“We got a lot of answers from a lot of players today that stepped up in a big way,” Union manager Jim Curtin told reporters in Vancouver after the game. "This group has been shorthanded now week in and week out, and different guys have responded with big performances. I can’t say enough how proud I am of the group. If we get greedy maybe we could have stole a second goal at the end, but I think a draw is a fair result.”

The Union now come home for two games in quick succession, hosting FC Cincinnati on Wednesday (7:30 p.m., PHL17) and the New England Revolution on Saturday (7:30 p.m., PHL17).

“We have a long travel back now, then we have to recover quickly," Curtin said. "It’s been a very good start to the season for this group. We’ve challenged them to take a step forward and be one of the teams that’s challenging for that home game that’s so important. And the players to a man have really stepped up.”

This article includes information from the Associated Press.