If a penalty kick is not the worst way to end a game, I'm not so sure what is.

Such was the story for the Union tonight, playing their third game of their young existence against Toronto FC, and losing by way of a Dwayne De Rosario PK to fall to a record of 1-2. Philly keeper Chris Seitz made the right decision to challenge the striker in his box, but he was late in his effort, pulling down O'Brian White as he touched the ball forward and just out of reach. A mistake on Seitz's part, perhaps, but it was a bit rough to award a PK for a keeper missing the ball by a millimeter or so.

Seitz guessed De Rosario's direction of choice, but still had no chance on the shot. The goal put TFC up 2-1, and clinched the game for the Canadians late in the second half.

The third year MLS keeper may have also ended up taking the blame for De Rosario's first goal of the game as well, had it not been for Union defenseman Danny Califf. The captain misplayed a ball back to his keeper, and borderline "clothes-lined" Toronto's Julian de Guzman in order to stop his pursuit of the ball, good for a straight red card, and an early shower.

Califf probably stopped a very easy goal for Guzman, but the set piece that followed his card ended up in the net anyway. De Rosasio hit the center of the net with his set-piece shot, right where Seitz was standing. Perhaps De Rosario put a spin on the ball because it hit Seitz right in the hands, and found its way into the net.

One of my high school coaches used to tell our keeper quite often that if he could touch the ball, than he should make the save. I wonder if Seitz had ever heard that unwritten rule of goaltending.

Despite the PK and the red card however, the Union hardly played an undisciplined match. As a matter of fact, the Zolos played very inspired ball, controlling most of the play and even finding the back of the net after Califf was sent off.

That's right, Kevin Harvey tallied his first MLS goal to equalize the score shortly after Toronto gained the lead. But it was not enough to hold the tie. Assistant coach John Hackworth ( and probably Peter Nowak, still in the press box to pay tribute to his fallen Polish president) made the fatal decision to sacrifice the clubs fine offensive play for a stronger defensive presence, subbing off Roger Torres for Shavar Thomas.

By taking off Torres, by far the best offensive player on the pitch for the Union tonight, Hackworth created a Toronto shooting gallery and it was only a matter of time before his team eventually conceded the tie, and the game.