CJ Sapong headed home in the 69th minute as Philadelphia Union got back to winning ways following a mid-season slump with a 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders on Wednesday evening.

It was Seattle who started the better of both sides and Gonzalo Pineda could have headed them ahead on eight minutes but his close-range effort sailed wide of the post.

It proved to be the wake-up call that Union - who lost their last two games - needed as Jim Curtin's side went close through Sapong and Maurice Edu.

The hosts looked certain to open the scoring on 32 minutes when Andrew Wenger won a penalty off Dylan Remick, but Edu saw his spot kick saved by Stefan Frei.

Unperturbed, Philadelphia emerged from the break with a sense of renewed vigour, and Cristian Maidana drilled just wide from outside the box before Frei saved from Brian Carroll.

Their patience paid off on 69 minutes, however, when Sapong headed home Sheanon Williams's teasing cross from close range as the hosts wielded tangible reward for their dominance.