Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - FC Dallas stretched its unbeaten run to eight Major League Soccer fixtures with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at Pizza Hut Park on Sunday.
The Union, who actually scored the game's first goal, were forced to play down a man for almost 70 minutes after goalkeeper Brad Knighton received a red card for a professional foul early in the game.
After the teams battled to a 1-1 stalemate through the opening half, the 100 degree heat coupled with playing down a man finally caught up to the expansion team, as it allowed two late Jeff Cunningham tallies to suffer its second straight league loss.
Cunningham scored his fifth goal of the season in the 75th minute to make it 2-1 when he headed home a perfect service from Brek Shea from the left side. The goal turned out to be Cunningham's 38th career game winner.
Six minutes later, Cunningham teamed up with David Ferreira to give Dallas (7-2-9) a 3-1 advantage. With the Union defense obviously tiring in the closing minutes, Ferreira found Cunningham cutting into the area before he one-timed a shot past Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz.
Cunningham's second goal of the game gives him 127 in his MLS career, second all-time to D.C. United's Jaime Moreno's 132.
The Union opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Sebastien Le Toux cut through three defenders at the top of the Dallas penalty area before firing a shot on goal. Kevin Hartman made the save, but was unable to control the rebound and Alejandro Moreno knocked it home after a scramble in the six-yard box.
It was Moreno's first goal of the season.
But less than 10 minutes later the tables turned considerably when Philadelphia goalkeeper Knighton, only making the start because of a Seitz illness, pulled down Shea in the area after bobbling a ball.
Ferreira fired the ensuing penalty kick home to tie the game at one with his fifth goal of the season.
FCD will aim to add to its unbeaten streak when it travels to take on D.C. United on Saturday, while the Union (4-10-3) hope to rebound at home vs. Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in their next MLS fixture.