CHESTER, Pa. -- Earning three result points on Thursday with a late, one-goal win over DC United was a crucial step in the Unions quest for a top-three playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
However, without at least a draw on Sunday night against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center, the Union can kiss their new found advantage goodbye.
Its a cruel game, to be honest, said back Danny Califf after Thursdays win. Youre the hero one week and youre the goat the next. This week, we happened to be the hero, but if we go to Chivas and dont play well, were the goat. Its just the way it is and that needs to be our mentality for our final four games. Every game is a playoff game.
Following an emotional and clutch home win over the United, the Union (10-7-13) sit in second place in the conference, one point behind Sporting Kansas City and one point ahead of the Houston Dynamo. This scenario of coming off such a high win only to face a short turnaround on the West Coast has let down written all over it.
We want to be in first place like every other team, said Sheanon Williams. So were going to keep going at it. We have got a couple games left, our last home game and some road games. Were going to try to take as many points as we can.
The emotional ups-and-downs are something the Union are planning for.
Its extremely tough and not only are we playing a Chivas team that is extremely hungry and fighting for their playoff lives but we have to travel cross-country, said Califf.
Theres going to be a constant conversation about taking care of the things off the field to be able to perform. It hasnt ever been as important for this club than it will be the next week.
Chivas is not just hungry, but starving for points. Sitting at 8-12-11 with 35 points in the muddy depths of the Western Conference, Chivas is coming off a draw (against DC) and a convincing 3-0 victory over Toronto FC in its last two games. Nick LaBrocca and Justin Braun lead the team in goals with eight a piece and former LA Galaxy forward Juan Pablo Angel is on fire with five goals in the last three games.
Were just trying to get ourselves recovered as quickly as possible for the big game on Sunday, said California native and midfielder Amobi Okugo, who said he will have family in attendance at the Home Depot Center. Chivas has a shot at the playoffs so we know they are going to fight and were going to push back. If we can get a win or a tie, any points we get are valuable at this stage.
For the Union, the battle wont just be against Chivas, but the travel and the time difference. With little time to shed the jet lag and gain their California legs, the Union will need to rely on their fitness as much (or more) than anything else in order to be competitive.
It all starts with recovery, sleeping well and getting iced up to get their legs back, said rookie goalie Zac MacMath. We have a long flight and as soon as we get there, itll be about trying to get acclimated to the time difference. All of these guys have done it before -- so we should be OK.
Along with their travel experience, the Union are brandishing a major weapon in suddenly scorching hot Sebastien Le Toux, who has netted nine goals in his last eight games, putting himself at least in the discussion once again for MLS Most Valuable Player.
Le Toux had a pair of goals for the Union against United on Thursday.
Its just a monkey, its like four gorillas on his back, Califf said of Le Touxs goal-less drought that spanned more than half the season. Not only to get that one but to get the second and the third and the goals in the run of play, I think have been huge. Hes done a fantastic job finishing good goals. Hes going to be really important for us going forward and for the success of our team. I think we obviously need other guys to step up and score but hes going to be the guy we need to produce.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com