It was an up-and-down contest of the most extreme variety on Wednesday, but the high-scoring draw against the New England Revolution, albeit disappointing, managed to hand the struggling Union multiple reasons to be optimistic.
The Union hope to use that optimism as a tool to changing their winless ways on Saturday against the Portland Timbers at PPL Park.
The togetherness of this team is amazing, said midfielder Freddy Adu, who scored a goal in the teams three-goal second-half comeback against the Revs. Sometimes individuals make mistakes, but we rally around each other. Were all humans and we make mistakes. Were in this together and we knew we could do it. If New England could score four goals in the first half, then we can score four goals in the second half. We have a good offense. We turned it up a bit and it worked for us from there.
Despite losing two points against one of the lowest-standing teams in the MLS, the Union were able to muster an offensive awakening. The type of output from key players that was missing since the summer departure of leading scorer Carlos Ruiz. Sebastien Le Toux scored twice, Roger Torres added a goal and Danny Mwanga connected with Adu for the first time this season.
Its great for my confidence, said Le Toux, who knocked in his first run-of-play goal this season and added a second on a penalty kick. I was just happy to get my first one, now you guys have something else to talk about. It was good for me. Im glad I was able to help my team get the point.
Getting Le Touxs finishing touch back on track is one way of helping the 8-7-11 Union get past the Timbers for their first win since July 17. Another way is getting Adu in the mix. On Wednesday, Adu scored his first goal with the Union, but more importantly, played a full 90 minutes and saw growing chemistry with players like Torres and Mwanga.
I feel good, said Adu, whose squad was defeated by the Timbers, 1-0, on May 6 at JELD-WEN Field. I had to work my way into it. I cramped up at the end, but that just means I need to get more fit. I felt I was involved the whole game.
Honestly, its great to get out there and score my first goal. However, playing that 90 minutes was huge for me. I want to be out there helping the team. This last stretch of games is huge for us and I dont want to let my team down. Personally, it felt good to know I can get out there and score while playing 90 minutes when asked to do so.
Also helping the Unions cause will be the added experience of rookie goalkeeper Zac MacMath, who is filling in for captain and starting keeper Faryd Mondragon. The veteran broke his finger on Sept. 3 against Real Salt Lake, allowing MacMath to make his first-ever MLS start.
Every minute is going to help me, said MacMath, who gave up four goals. Just experiencing live ball again is the best thing for me.
The Unions growing confidence will come in good use against the 9-12-5 Timbers, who are sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference with 32 points. While the expansion club, led by Jack Jewsbury and Jorge Perlaza, is coming off back-to-back wins over the Vancouver Whitecaps and Chivas USA, the squad has not done well on the road this season. With a 1-8-3 road record and nearly pushed completely out of the playoff race, the Timbers need to muster everything they have against the Union. It will be a matter of survival.
"The truth is for us to make the playoffs, we're going to have to get some results on the road," Jewsbury told OregonLive.com.
And though they are staying afloat in the Eastern Conference, if the Union want to also make the postseason, theyll need results at home, starting Saturday.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com.