With two games in four days and a roster awaiting what CEO Nick Sakiewicz called, a complicated, multi-player deal with multiple teams outside of MLS, the Union wanted to prove that no amount of fluctuation could keep them from getting points on the road against the last-place Chicago Fire.
But after a scattered and forgettable effort that resulted in a 1-1 draw, the Union, now winless in their last two games, turn their sights to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at PPL Park for another shot at getting back on the winning track.
I think we had full confidence coming into Chicago and getting at least a point, Brian Carroll said. Well take the one, but we had a chance for three.
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Its not disappointing or frustrating, its OK. But I think we know that we could have gotten three points.
Missing back Sheanon Williams to red card suspension and without leading scorer Carlos Ruiz, who is lined up for a trade to a club in Mexico, the Union were forced to push Veljko Paunovic up front with Sebastien Le Toux. Looking to find the missing offense, Paunovic filled the short-term void by cashing in on his second goal in just six games with the Union.
Although the team will get Williams back in the lineup on Saturday, they will still need Paunovic, who is coming off a hip injury, to provide the same type of veteran finish hes shown so far with the Union.
Paunovic stepped up, said assistant coach John Hackworth, who filled in for Peter Nowak. We asked him to play a different role tonight, we started him up high. He wasnt finding the game early so we moved him farther wide and that allowed him to find the ball underneath. It was better for him and he had a good game and fantastic goal. He gave us some composure.
The Union will be looking to avenge their only home loss of the season (to the Colorado Rapids on July 29) when they host the 6-7-9 Dynamo, who are winless on the road this season. The Dynamo, led by Cam Weavers four goals and Brad Davis MLS-leading 10 assists, have just one loss in their last five tries.
Coming off a pair of unsatisfactory results while in a dogfight with the Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, Hackworth wants to get the Union back in the groove that saw them reach that plateau to begin with. To do so, they need to get back to patient ball-possession play and paced team offense that has them 8-5-8 and in second place in the conference with games in hand.
We didnt play our regular brand of soccer early, were usually a better ball possession team, Hackworth said about the mediocre execution against the Fire. We were a little hesitant in getting our backs going forward.
USMNT Roster for Philadelphia Announced
In his first official order of business as the US Mens National Team coach, Jurgen Klinsmann named the full 22-man roster for his teams friendly on Wednesday against Mexico at Lincoln Financial Field.
The MLS-heavy group features Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman, FC Dallas Brek Shea and Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is expected to be between the pipes and former Union original, now Mexican-club defender Michael Orozco-Fiscal will earn a cap on the US National side.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com