CHESTER, Pa. -- Just three games into the 2013 season and the Union are already being tested in an important Eastern Conference match-up.

“New England is undefeated and are an Eastern Conference opponent, which means they stand in our way,” said coach John Hackworth, whose club hosts the Revolution on Saturday at PPL Park. “We have a lot of pride in how we want to play at PPL Park and we want to establish a domain here at home. It’s a really important game for us.”

Coming off a gutsy road win over the Colorado Rapids last Sunday, the Union move their overall record to 1-1-0 on the young season. More importantly, the club seems to have found an answer for recent road woes, which saw them win just three road games in 2012.

“We feel really good,” said Amobi Okugo, who scored a goal in the Union’s 2-1 win. “The red eye flight back was much better than if we had of lost. It was good that we got the win. We’re trying to carry it forward.”

Hackworth was thrilled at how his team battled in Colorado and sees that success carrying forward against the Revolution.

“That game says a lot about how this group has developed and it says a lot about how we rebound,” said Hackworth. “And that’s a very positive step overall.”

With momentum now at their back and road issues solved for the time being, the Union turn attention to combating home-field complacency. Despite controlling much of their home opener on March 2 against Sporting Kansas City, the Union fell apart and allowed the visitors to walk away with the 3-1 win.

It was not the tempo the Union wanted to set at PPL Park in 2013.

“We talked about making this a very difficult place for opponents to come and play,” said Hackworth. “We need to establish that.”

But home establishment won’t come easy. Although the Union are undefeated all-time against the Revolution with a 4-0-3 record, the Revs are not exactly the same team.

“It’s a good stat to look at but it is a different New England team,” said Hackworth. “They are well coached, organized and they know they can go on the road and win. It presents a new challenge for us.”

Taking down the Chicago Fire on the road, the Revolution are still without top offensive threat Saer Sene, feature speedster Jerry Bengtson, former MLS All-Star and midfielder Juan Toja and midfielder Lee Nguyen.

“They’ve changed their culture a little bit and got some technical guys like Lee Nguyan and Toja and especially with Jerry Bengston there to pound on mistakes, it’s going to be a tough matchup,” said Okugo. “We have to stay focused and try to get the win.”

Despite decent offensive credentials, Hackworth is more concerned about the Revolution defense, which, led by goalie Matt Reis, pitched a 1-0 road shutout.

“They have six guys who are committed to defending,” said Hackworth. “Reis was fantastic in goal for them last week and to have a veteran goalkeeper like that play at that level, it means we’ll have to be pretty special to break them down and beat them.”

Up to the task of taking down Reis and the Revs will be Jack McInerney and the banged up Union offense. Despite the win, the Union were hampered when Sebastien Le Toux, Danny Cruz and Gabriel Farfan were all injured during the game. Striker Conor Casey failed to make the road trip because of a strained hamstring.

“We have Gabe, who has a hamstring issue,” said Hackworth. “Conor looks like he’s good, he trained today. We didn’t let him go 100% but he’s almost at full recovery. Danny’s nose is fine, it just looks funny which is nothing new for Danny. Seba took a good knock in that game but his ankle had three massive stud marks in his ankle. On top of that, he tweaked his back. We expect him to be fully ready.”