The suddenly streaking Union, who are 3-1-1 over their last five league matches, are in Colorado to face the Rapids (10-7-8), who sit in sixth place in the West (9:30PM/Live Well HD). With the Lehigh Valley Iron Phils facing the Nats tonight this may be an opportune time to check out the local eleven. Over the course of this modest streak the Union have managed to keep clean sheets in two of their last three games. I don't think it's a coincidence that their recent run of good defense coincides with the introduction of keeper Brad Knighton and outside back Sheanon Williams into the starting lineup. They are still giving up chances, but recently have not been punished for them. The other startling development from Saturday's 3-0 win over Chivas USA was that Alejandro MorenoAND Fred scored. After the Fred goal I jokingly posted a tweet asking whether 83 year old Walter Bahr would score next. It's amazing how dangerous the Union looked thanks to finally getting some balanced scoring. Sure, Sebastien Le Toux capped off the scoring with a free kick, but the contributions of Moreno (who nodded in a header off a Le Toux corner of all things) and Fred (who poached a sitter from inside the six yard box) were huge. Truth be told I was a bit disappointed to see Fred and Moreno included in Peter Nowak's starting lineup on Saturday. I was partial to giving young players like Roger Torres, Amobi Okugo, and Jack McInerney some run. I suppose the challenge for Nowak, as well as for fans, is debating the best method for implementing and cultivating a winning program. Does it make more sense to give playing time to veterans with the hope that they're better equipped to execute Nowak's gameplan? Is Peter Nowak leaning on these veterans to set an example for his young players in a Doug Pederson eventually yielding to a rookie Donovan McNabb sort of way? Or should Nowak trot out a lineup of rookies and young players and let them get their legs under them? Should Kyle Nakazawa or Okugo man the middle of the pitch instead of Stefani Miglioranzi? Does it make sense to pair Danny Mwanga and Union Jack up top? I'd imagine Nowak and assistant coach John Hackworth struggle to balance these interests each time they fill out their lineup card. The good news is that over the last month or so the team has tightened things up defensively, successfully introduced trade acquisition Justin Mapp into the lineup, and have shown significant progress. Ok, with my mini State of the Union out of the way I suppose I should at least mention something about this match-up. The teams played to a 1-1 draw back in August. Chestnut Hill Academy grad Jeff Larentowicz opened the scoring with a goal in the 54th minute to put Colorado up 1-0. Danny Mwanga equalized for the Union in the 73rd. Sometime US International Conor Casey, who is the Rapids leading scorer, will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation. With Casey out the scoring burden will likely fall on Omar Cummings (I'll recycle my Farmer in the Dell "The Wire" joke) and the recently acquired Macoumba Kandji (who came over from the Red Bulls in exchange for Mehdi Ballouchy). The Union have struggled on the road all season (2-10-1). However, this is the first time they've entered a road game with momentum of any sort. Will they be able to keep it going on the road at elevation (Dicks Sporting Goods Park is in Commerce City, CO - elevation +5,100 feet above sea level)? Union Player Most Likely to See Red: I haven't picked the new guy yet, so I'll go with Sheanon Williams. Final Score Prediction: 2-2 as the Union get out of Dodge with a point in tow. Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images North America
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