The Los Angeles Galaxy were certainly the much better passing side on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park, but football matches can change in an instant, and it doesn’t always matter who was the better side. Thanks to some bad errors on LA’s part, the Union snatched a 1-1 draw late, and they will likely be content with the result.

The Galaxy were the much better team in the first half and for short periods of the second half, but John Hackworth’s substitution of Danny Mwanga for Keon Daniel at halftime was an inspired one, and the young forward did well in his role as a right sided player with freedom to roam. His play was instrumental in keeping possession for Philadelphia in the second half, something they were downright poor at in the first half.

The Galaxy appeared to waste a spectacular four minute spell of possession in the 23rd minute when Juninho hit an awful shot that was shanked so badly, it almost went out for a throw-in, but the Galaxy would find the goal their play deserved in the 24th minute. Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel played a great one-two combination that sent Angel into the box with a chance, but his poor shot was easily blocked by Faryd Mondragon. However, the defense did not clear the rebound, and Donovan hit a dribbler into the back of the net to give his team a 1-0 lead.

When Mwanga came on to start the second half, the game changed considerably. However, the Galaxy had a couple more fantastic opportunities in the middle of the half that they should have converted to put the game beyond doubt. Juan Pablo Angel squandered an easy chance in the 56th minute with a terrible first touch in front of an open goal, then a dive when he was confronted by Mondragon. Six minutes later, Miguel Lopez hit a great flicked header into the path of Chris Birchall,  but Birchall’s shot was saved.

The equalizer came in the 84th minute, and it was practically gifted to Philly. Right back Sean Franklin, who had an otherwise good game, committed an awful giveaway in his own penalty area. Mwanga picked up the ball and finished well, giving his team a valuable point against strong opposition.