FC Cincinnati ties Philadelphia Union behind Brandon Vazquez's goal

Brandon Vazquez scored the tying goal to help FC Cincinnati notch a 1-1 tie with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night at Chester, Pa.

Alejandro Bedoya scored a goal for Philadelphia (6-1-8, 26 points), which stretched its unbeaten streak to eight games (1-0-7).

Goalkeeper Andre Blake made four saves for the Union, who are 3-0-5 at home this season.

Roman Celentano made four saves for FC Cincinnati (6-7-2, 20 points), who are winless (0-2-1) in their past three matches.

The matchup was the first as head coaches for Cincinnati's Pat Noonan and Philadelphia's Jim Curtin. Noonan served as a Union assistant for the past four seasons and helped the franchise claim the Supporters' Shield in 2020 for having the best regular-season record in the MLS.

Cincinnati had a 17-13 edge in shots but both teams placed five on target.

Bedoya gave the Union the lead in the 17th minute when he sent a left-footed shot into the left corner. It was Bedoya's third goal of the season and the assist went to Julian Carranza.

Cincinnati knotted the score in the 39th minute off a corner kick. Tyler Blackett was in front of the goal and headed the ball in the direction of Vazquez, who sent a close-range diving header past Blake for his eighth goal of the campaign.

Daniel Gazdag of the Union had two late opportunities but came up empty both times. In the 73rd minute, his right-footed shot was stopped by Celentano. In the 86th minute, he got off a hard right-footed shot and sent it directly at Celentano.

Vazquez's right-footed attempt in the 88th minute was deflected over the net.

Blake came up big in the 23rd minute when he made the save on Alvaro Barreal's right-footed blast. The star goalie entered the match with a league-best 0.71 goals-against average.

The Union have allowed just 11 goals all season.

Cincinnati is 4-3-2 on the road.