Mentally rested, Union prepare for Real Salt Lake

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CHESTER, Pa.An impromptu week away from game action, thanks to Hurricane Irene flooding the area last weekend, may have appeared like the perfect opportunity for the weary and struggling Union to rest their legs, recharge their energy and prepare for Saturdays road contest against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.

However, where the break may have been most beneficial to the Union is not on their bodies, but on their minds.

It was a strange weekend off, said Sebastien Le Toux, whose squad is winless in its last five games. For myself, I just stayed home and tried to take my mind off everything, make sure everyone is alright and try to stay dry.

We are happy that everyone is safe. It was good to see everyone on Monday. It was also good to get some days off. Were in a tough stretch so I think it was a good mental break for everybody, maybe even more than physically. I think were ready for Saturday.

Coming off a 2-1 road loss to the Columbus Crew on August 20, which sank them to fourth in the Eastern Conference with an 8-6-10 record, the Union attended a friendly against the Harrisburg City Islanders on August 24. Since then, its been all practice and rest for Peter Nowaks young squad.

The boys are mentally getting ready, Nowak said. Fitness was never the problem, its more about getting the mental part. When you see a couple college guys and some veterans, going from 16 games, 18 games, then suddenly they have 34 games, its more mental than physical. We have an inexperienced team and they dont have the routine of playing so many weeks and thats a factor we need to improve.

The extra practice time allowed the Union to refocus and work to improve a major cause of their downturna sudden sag in what was a previously unbeatable defense. Limiting mental lapses in the defensive third and not allowing soft goals was a strong point and primary reason the Union fought their way to top of the conference during the first half of the season.

Lately, Nowak said, weve been giving up too many goals and that needs to change.

Since then, the second-year club has appeared out of character by allowing eight goals in their last five games, many off defensive mistakes.

Its most important to concentrate defensively, Le Toux said. Especially in the past few games, weve given up some easy goals. We have the weapons to get goals, we need to work on keeping our shape defensively.

But the Union, who tied Real Salt Lake 1-1 on June 11 at PPL Park, will have to display their refreshed defensive focus without back Carlos Valdes, who received a one-game yellow card accumulation suspension while facing the Crew. As of Wednesday, Nowak wasnt sure who would fill in for Valdes.

Sheanon Williams has played center back, Stefani Miglioranzi stepped in at one time, said Nowak. We have options. Were looking at this young kid trialist Joe Tait who has joined us in the last couple of weeks to see if hes a possibility as well. I believe well choose the best possible approach to make sure our back line stays strong and consistent.

But the Union wont be the only team on the field with missing pieces. Whether its international call-ups, red cards and injuries, Real Salt Lake, standing at 11-7-6, 8-2-3 at home, is reeling, with over six players missing from their active roster for Saturdays match, including leading scorer Alvaro Saborio and starting central defender Nat Borchers.

Its a quality team, Nowak said of RSL. My message was very clearlets not fool ourselves with call-ups, injuries and all this stuff because the team is very consistent at home and protect that land very much. RSL understands the concept the coaching staff has created and its going to be a very difficult game because of that.

If team play makes Real Salt Lake such a formidable opponent, Nowak pinned the key to success on his team doing the same. To earn points, the coach reiterated, chemistry and an all-for-one mentality needs to be accomplished.

Its not secret that weve been in a hole, for many reasons, Nowak said. Its not about the fitness or tactical part or who is playing, who isntthe most important thing right now is that the group comes together.

E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com

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