It's about unity as Union face elimination

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CHESTER, Pa. -- With elimination looming and their season hanging in the balance, the Union will be forced to rely heavily on what got them to this point in order to survive the one-goal aggregate deficit and slip past the Houston Dynamo on Thursday at Robertson Stadium.

However, their most unique advantage is their sense of team. And according to captain Faryd Mondragon, if used correctly, the clubs unity should give it a much-needed advantage.

I think our strength is that we are a very good team on the inside, outside, when we play as a team, said the All-Star keeper. I have been a professional for 22 years and I think this is one of the top-three best locker rooms Ive been in my career. Here we are, a bunch of friends and teammates that defend each other on and off the field and its the key to our success.

Despite losing 2-1 in the opening leg of the two-game series at PPL Park on Sunday, just the teams second home loss of the season, the Union, per assistant coach John Hackworth, were in good spirits and loaded with confidence during their Tuesday training session.

Its fantastic, Hackworth said of the teams attitude. Its lively, spirited, lots of smiles. Its positive. Coming out of the last game, we were all disappointed to not get the result we needed but we're still very confident that we have a good chance in this series.

This fortitude was put on display as Mondragon continued to speak.

If we play the way we know how to play, we can beat anyone, the captain said. And I say that in a humble way because I know there are very good teams in this league. But I live with this team every day, training-by-training, minute-by-minute, and I know what we are capable of and we are going to try and show it on Thursday.

One reason for the Unions confidence could be their winning ways at Robertson Stadium. On May 29, 2010, the Union took the road contest 3-2 against the Dynamo on the smaller field. In the 2011 season opener, the Union again were victorious, winning 1-0.

Yet, with a 4-7-6 road record this season and down a goal in the series, the comeback trail isnt an easy road. But the Union are going to take any reason for optimism and hope it plays to their favor.

Sometimes I think when youre on the road and your whole focus is the game, there is a positive to that, said Hackworth. From team meetings to meals, youre together the whole time and a lot of talk that goes on. This game in particular, we know what we have to do and there is a lot on the line. We want to continue the season so were going to put everything we have into it.

Trailing by a goal on the road, the Union are strong-armed into fielding a more offensive lineup and will look to push the pace. Helping out could be the return of attacking midfielder Veljko Paunovic, who missed the playoff opener with a hamstring injury. He has three goals on the season.

Were very hopeful that hell be ready to go, Hackworth said.

The real question isnt in the lineups, however. Its how the Dynamo will set their formation. Owning the one-goal advantage, dropping into a defensive shell is the obvious choice for the hosts, who would hope to strike the counterattack against the Unions attack. But despite what seems obvious, the Union are preparing for something much different.

They are going to be physical and rely on their big guys in the back, said Mwanga. But they will also be playing at home, so they will definitely not just sit back but push forward and try to end the game early. Its going to put us in pretty good position to go forward. I dont think they are going to sit back.

Playing for the fourth time this season, the two playoff squads are well-informed on in each others personnel and style. As Hackworth noted, its up the players effort to make the difference.

Neither team has too many surprises up their sleeve at this point, Hackworth said. Its simply about going out and giving everything youve got.

Email Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com.

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