The Philadelphia Union flirted with the prospect of dropping two costly points at home on Sunday, but were bailed out by a quirky but timely late winner from center back Jack Elliott that dispatched a luckless Houston Dynamo side 2-1 at Talen Energy Stadium.

The visitors entered the game on a three-game losing streak and a 2-10-1 skid dating back to May, and their confidence was further eroded when goalkeeper Joe Willis let a tame shot from Kacper Przybylko slip underneath him for the game's opening goal.

But Houston rallied and drew level on a sweet finish from new acquisition Christian Ramirez, who lashed home a DaMarcus Beasley cutback cross shortly before halftime. Just when it appeared they might dig out a road draw, Elliott latched onto a delivery into the Houston penalty box in the 78th minute and followed up when the rebound dinked off the crossbar to tap home the decisive goal.

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Goals

18' — PHI — Kacper Przybylko | WATCH

42' — HOU — Christian Ramirez | WATCH

78' — PHI — Jack Elliott | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Though they held serve (and kept a nose ahead of ascendant Atlanta in the East standings) in the end, this game was a surprising slog for the first-place Union. Did their mentality slip, or do the Dynamo —who keep dropping points in the most painful ways possible — deserve credit for their dogged performance amid a woeful run of form?

Though they held serve (and kept a nose ahead of ascendant Atlanta in the East standings) in the end, this game was a surprising slog for the first-place Union. Did their mentality slip, or do the Dynamo —who keep dropping points in the most painful ways possible — deserve credit for their dogged performance amid a woeful run of form? MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Ellliott was the beneficiary of some fortunate bounces in the leadup to his goal, but it was the key play in a tight, balanced showdown.

Ellliott was the beneficiary of some fortunate bounces in the leadup to his goal, but it was the key play in a tight, balanced showdown. MAN OF THE MATCH: Philly No. 6 Haris Medunjanin quietly produced yet another solid display at the base of midfield, and ranged forward to tab an assist on the opener.

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