Olwethu Makhanya scored the go-ahead goal early in the second half to lift the host Philadelphia Union to a 2-1 win over CF Montreal on Wednesday.
The victory kept the Union (14-5-4, 46 points), who have won two straight after losing two in a row, atop the MLS standings.
Montreal (3-14-6, 15 points) is winless in its past three after winning two of three.
Makhanya’s first career MLS goal came off a corner in the 50th minute. With Kai Wagner serving from the right side, the South African defender jumped and headed the ball down off the pitch, leading the ball to bounce back up past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Sebastian Breza.
Montreal then pressed hard for the equalizer. In the 58th minute, Prince Owusu had an opportunity on a 2-on-1 with Hennadii Synchuk but just missed the target. Two minutes later, Dante Sealy missed just wide left on a feed from Owusu.
Owusu came within inches of tying the game in the 77th minute, only to hit the post. And in the 84th minute, Owusu slipped as he took a feed from Sealy but managed to get his foot on the ball to lift a shot on target, but Union goalkeeper Andre Blake, off his line, got across to get his hands on it and deflect it away.
Tai Baribo gave Philadelphia a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. Danley Jean Jacques worked the ball from near midfield to inside the box. Montreal midfielder Samuel Piette knocked the ball loose and defender Joel Waterman tried to push it away, but it rolled to Quinn Sullivan, who centered it for Baribo at the top of the goalmouth for a quick right-foot strike past Breza.
Owusu’s team-leading 10th tally of the season pulled Montreal level just before halftime. Waterman volleyed a pass for Owusu heading into the box. The German striker got his right foot on the ball in the air to send into the far side in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
