DC United finished with nine men but managed to hold Philadelphia Union to a draw at R.F.K. Stadium.
Brian Carroll bundled home from close range to put Philadelphia ahead against the run of play on eight minutes.
The hosts continued to dominate the game without reward until they levelled courtesy of an Amobi Okugo own goal 19 minutes from time.
United were presented with the perfect opportunity to claim a deserved victory in the 86th minute when Roger Torres brought down Chris Pontius in the penalty area.
However, Dwayne De Rosario's spot kick rattled the crossbar and, to make matters worse, Branko Boskovic was shown a straight red card for an apparent show of dissent.
United were then reduced to nine men moments later, as Emiliano Dudar was given his marching orders for a dreadful challenge on Antoine Hoppenot.
Philadelphia also finished the game without their full complement of players, as Sheanon Williams collected his second yellow card deep into stoppage time.
Robert Summerscales
