Friday, May 27, 2011
Posted: 9:41 a.m.
By Ryan Bright
CSNPhilly.com Contributor
CHESTER, Pa.Wins havent come easy for visitors in the Eastern Conference, which holds just four combined victories on the road this season. And fresh off a 2-0 flogging at the hands of FC Dallas on May 14, count the Union safely among them.
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However, as they move away from the friendly confines of PPL Park to face lowly Toronto FC on Saturday at BMO Field, for the Union, its a perfect time to reverse the trend.
Its important for us to get into the mentality of there being no difference playing home or away, said coach Peter Nowak, whose squad is 1-3 on the road and 4-0-2 at home. I dont want to have this feeling that were strong at home and away games dont matter at the end of the day. The last two away games, in terms of intensity and a good 90 minutes, were far from what were capable of. They are tougher games and the team needs to realize that.
For Carlos Ruiz, who leads the Union in scoring with three goals, facing a Toronto team that holds a 2-4-6 record and is hanging in the bottom tier of conference, is a great chance to recover some lost result points.
All I know about Toronto is that the team is in a bad position in our conference, he said. I know they have support but the team is not doing good. After Dwayne De Rosario left the team (in a trade), they arent playing the same soccer. We lost a couple points here against LA Galaxy and against Seattle Sounders and its important to gain the points back against Toronto.
News
Fresh off an exciting 2-1 home win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday, the Union will work to keep the momentum moving, especially on offense. It was the first time all season the talented but sputtering squad, who has eight goals in 10 games, scored more than one goal in a game, with goals from Ruiz and rookie Michael Farfan.
I think winning two games in a row would be fantastic for us, said Ruiz, who scored the game winner. Were trying to think positively and try to not get relaxed in our position and go to Toronto and play the same or better than the last game, and win those three points.
Helping in that cause will be the full return of second-year striker Danny Mwanga, who missed the Fire game as a result of hamstring tightness. On the other side, midfielders Stefani Miglioranzi, with a calf injury, and Amobi Okugo, who suffered high ankle sprain on Saturday, will both be out.
Its a setback for him right now, said Nowak of Okugo. It could take two or three weeks.
Regardless of where Toronto sits in the standings, Nowak wasnt quite ready to cash in the result. Despite early struggles, the Canadian side has two draws in its last two games, including a competitive bout against the reigning MLS champion Colorado Rapids.
Toronto is playing a lot of games lately and getting good results, said Nowak. You dont go to Colorado and dictate play like they did last weekendthey are getting better and confidence comes with the results.
The Union hope that the same goes for them.
Missing Fish
Immediately following the finish of Saturdays game against Toronto FC, Union striker and leading scorer Carlos Ruiz will come out of international retirement to join the Guatemalan national team for Gold Cup competition.
I retired from my national team two years ago and came back when they made Ever Hugo Almeida the coach, said Ruiz, Guatemala's all-time scoring leader. I know him. I know how he works and thats the reason Ive come back to the national team. Its very important for soccer in my country.
However, because the tournament runs from June 5-25, Ruiz could potentially miss up to five Union games, depending on the success of his team. But despite the missing time, the player nicknamed El Pescadito, or Fish, feels like the Union are in good hands.
Its hard to decide, it gives me in a hard decision, said Ruiz. I obviously want to play for my national team and want to stay in Philly. I think to wear the jersey and play for the national team is a dream. There is something inside of me that always wants to do something important for soccer in my country.
We have some great players on this team (the Union), anyone can play the same or better than me. Peter Nowak will have no problem to find a forward to play in my position.
E-mail Ryan Bright at RyanBright13@gmail.com
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