Goalkeeping spot still a question for Philadelphia

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a draw vs. Toronto FC on Saturday at PPL Park (4 pm ET, TSN, MatchDay Live). That much they know. Who will be in goal still seems to be a mystery. During a conference call on Friday, Union manager Peter Nowak dodged questions about who his starting goalkeeper would be for Saturday’s regular-season home finale. Captain Faryd Mondragón started the first 25 games of the season before breaking his finger, opening the door for rookie Zac MacMath, who’s been unbeaten in seven starts to help Philadelphia (11-7-14, 47 points) climb into first place in the Eastern Conference. Nowak said Mondragón has been training all week and is 100 percent healthy but would not commit to the 40-year-old all star, perhaps in part because of how well MacMath has performed since being called into duty. "There are a lot of factors," Nowak said. "The most important thing for me is we bring the same kind of motivation, concentration and energy to the game like we have the past several weeks. And if not, we’ll have a difficult time." No matter who patrols the net, Nowak seemed wary about a Toronto squad that will come into PPL Park looking to play the role of spoiler. For the Union manager, it hardly mattered that the Reds (6-13-13) have long been eliminated from the playoff race and that the last time these two teams met – in Toronto – the Union coasted to a 6-2 victory. "I think they are much better," Nowak said. "Defensively, they are very sound. They basically play with three center backs and five across the line in the backline. And they have very dangerous strikers, as well. "They have nothing to lose. Teams that don’t have anything to lose are the most dangerous. So we have to be really careful." The Union may still have a chance to earn a playoff berth over the weekend regardless of their result against TFC. If there is a winner between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo and the New York Red Bulls lose to Sporting KC, Philadelphia are in. But for their final regular-season game at PPL Park, the Union would naturally prefer to keep their unbeaten streak alive and secure a spot in the postseason with their home fans looking on. "We want to give our fans a great show in the last regular-season home game," Union midfielder Brian Carroll said. "If we do that and are concentrated and focused, then hopefully we can get the maximum points. That’s our number one goal going into this game. "We want to take care of our own destiny and keep everything in our own control."

Dynamo ready for rough reception in Portland crunch clash

HOUSTON – Friday night’s match against the Portland Timbers could be the one that rubber-stamps Houston into the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in six years (10:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online). With a Dynamo win and a D.C. United draw or loss against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, the Orange men will move one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. To do that, Houston will have to beat a Timbers team they know a lot about after playing twice already – in preseason and on Aug. 14 in a 2-1 Houston home victory – with familiar faces on both sides. But there is one unfamiliar factor to deal with: the effects of Portland’s JELD-WEN Field that offers a raucous crowd and a small field prone to set-piece glory. "We haven’t been there, but from what everyone says, it’s better than most, if not the best, in the league," said head coach Dominic Kinnear. "I always say that’s the type of environment players want to play in ... it motivates you whether you’re home or away." The smaller field puts set-piece execution, both offensively and defensively, at a premium. Portland are exceptionally dangerous from set pieces and pose a number of problems with their service and tall targets; something they have in common with Houston. The Dynamo have one of the best ball strikers in MLS with Brad Davis and a number of tall targets of their own to take advantage of a field small enough that most set pieces are a potential scoring opportunity. "They score a lot of goals off set pieces," Davis said, "and knowing [Portland coach John] Spencer, he’s going to be aware of the guys we have on set pieces and he’ll go over them and put an emphasis on not giving those up and we’ll be aware of it for the same reasons. I think there’s going to be a few chances in that area and hopefully it’s us that are going to get on the end of them." With the chance to take a firm grip on a potential playoff spot, the only wild card thrown into the equation for Houston is the hostile settings of JELD-WEN Field. "As a player, these are the games you live for," Davis said. "It’s going to be loud, there’s a lot of emotion ... because the season rides on [this game] for both sides. It’ll be a playoff atmosphere, and if you can’t get up for this, I don’t think you should be in this sport."

On-the-mend Mwanga nearly back for surging Union

CHESTER, Pa. – In their past four games, the Philadelphia Union have earned eight points, scored seven goals and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference table. Perhaps even more impressive, they’ve managed to do so without the services of one of their top offensive weapons – Danny Mwanga. Mwanga, a dynamic second-year striker, hasn’t played since Sept. 17 because of a right hip flexor strain. WATCH: Mwanga has a go "Obviously I’m glad the team is doing well but, at the same time, it’s tough because you want to be out there," Mwanga told MLSsoccer.com. "You want to be a part of it. But I know I still have a couple of games and then we’ll hopefully make the playoffs. So I’m working hard to be fit by then and be able to help my team." Mwanga, the top overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, said he pulled his hip flexor in practice a couple of days after playing 27 minutes as a second-half sub in the Union’s 1-0 win over Columbus on Sept. 17. He then didn’t make the 18-man roster in games against Sporting Kansas City (Sept. 23), D.C. United (Sept. 29) and Chivas USA (Oct. 2). Against Seattle this past Saturday, the striker was included on the travel roster but didn’t get into the game in Philly’s pivotal 2-0 win. There is good news for Union fans, though: this week and last, Mwanga says he’s been training at close to full strength. "It’s finally getting better," he said. "I’m almost at 100 percent." Mwanga has battled a few minor injuries throughout his two-year career but he’s never been out of commission for this long. And even though the Union (11-7-14) have been proficient in the offensive third in recent weeks – with the red-hot Sébastien Le Toux leading the charge – they could certainly use Mwanga’s goal-scoring abilities as they look to clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto FC at PPL Park on Saturday (4 pm ET, watch LIVE online). And, of course, Mwanga – who’s scored five goals this season but has none since June 25 – hopes to be back on the field for what he expects to be a memorable day in Chester. "I think it’s going to be wonderful," he said. "It’s our last game at home and I think the environment will be really nice. Toronto made a few changes on their team and they’re going to come out trying to prove something against us. I think it’s going to be a really good game."

Dynamo's mission simple as they know they're in control

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo’s path to the playoffs is clear: Win and get in. Heading into the final weeks of the season, the Orange know a points total of 49 assures them of a playoff spot. To get there, Houston – who currently sit on 43 points and 10th in the current playoff standings – their fate is in their own hands. "I think it’s good," said midfielder Brad Davis of Houston's position. "When stuff’s out of your hands, it’s unsettling. If we go out and perform or don’t perform, we know it’s on us." Those two wins will have to come against a team right behind them in the standings, the Portland Timbers, and the Supporters’ Shield-winning LA Galaxy. Houston beat the Timbers 2-1 at home Aug. 14, but it will be a different Portland team this time out. John Spencer’s side is 4-2-2 since that loss and has proved a tough team to deal with at JELD-WEN Field. "We have a game in Portland that will be a playoff atmosphere," Davis said. "I think our playoffs start then in an amazing atmosphere on the road. I think we’re going to see what our team is made of. Then we have a game with LA where we don’t know what’s going to happen ... but that really doesn’t matter because we need to get maximum points out of these games to put ourselves in a good spot." While the Dynamo control their own fate, they will have an eye on the teams around them. With three teams — D.C. United, Portland and Chicago – having games in hand on Houston, the Dynamo know what happens around them will affect them. Not just in regards to making the playoffs but where they are seeded. "It’s always tough when you watch a game like Philly play Seattle and we don’t need [the Union] to get a result," said defender Bobby Boswell. "You watch to know what happens, but six points in these next two games will be huge. If you don’t get results, then you’re going to be a team that’s watching and depending on other teams." Their attention will surely be on what teams around them are doing, but, Houston know their first order of business is to win games. Without winning their remaining fixtures, the fate of their season will uncomfortably be left up to what other teams are doing. "We are where we are and we have the chance to get six points and get into the playoffs," Davis said. "That’s what we’re working for these past weeks and the training sessions have been some of the most intense that we’ve had since I’ve been around. I’d rather know it’s in our hands and that we have that chance."

Referee Week: Revisiting Davies' drawn penalty vs. LA

Recap: Philadelphia blow past Seattle for big 2-0 win

A strong second-half performance and goals from Freddy Adu and Brian Carroll pushed the Philadelphia Union past the Seattle Sounders for a 2-0 win at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Saturday night. The Union won for the second time in the past three games thanks largely to a defense that stifled the potent Seattle attack and some opportunistic finishing. It marks Philly's third win in their last five games and pushed them to the top of the Eastern Conference with two games left in the season. The night started slow, with both teams looking sloppy in midfield and largely unable to generate quality chances. The best look of the first half fell to Sounders midfielder Brad Evans in the 35th minute after he latched onto a pull-back from Lamar Neagle, but Evans skied his shot over Zac MacMath's net. Things opened up in the second half, however, with both sides threatening to score early. The best chance again came through Evans, who found room at the top of the box and tried a cheeky chip of MacMath. The 'keeper was beaten, but the woodwork came to the rescue and kept it scoreless. Philly came right back down the other end of the field and conjured up a great chance thank to some clever work from Justin Mapp. The erstwhile winger found himself central, spun away from a defender and charged in on Kasey Keller's net. Mapp laid it off to Sébastien Le Toux, in the area, but the Frenchman scuffed his shot making for an easy save by Keller. Minutes later, however, Philly would finally find the opener courtesy of the mercurial Adu. The play started with a quick switch from Sheanon Williams, who found Gabriel Farfan in acres of space down the left-hand side. The winger managed to beat defender James Riley along the endline, then pulled it back to Adu, who was waiting at the corner of the six-yard box. Adu made no mistake, smashing a left-footed blast into the roof of the net past a helpless Keller. 10 minutes later the Union were at it again. After enduring wave after wave of Sounders attacks, Le Toux got loose on a counter and was off to the races. Carroll went with him, and was rewarded for his hustle when Le Toux slipped a pass through the retreating Seattle defense to put the d-mid in on Keller. Carroll finished clinically, firing low and hard to the back post for his first goal of the season. The Sounders, who were playing without a host of attackers including MVP candidates Fredy Montero (yellow-card accumulation) and Mauro Rosales (injury), were further hamstrung when stalwart defender Jeff Parke went off with a concussion at halftime. Though the effort was there throughout the squad, the legs largely weren't from the side that won the US Open Cup earlier in the week. Philly (11-7-14, 47 points) move two points above Sporting KC into the Eastern Conference driver's seat. They next take the field on Saturday, Oct 15, when they host Toronto FC. Seattle (16-7-9, 57 points) stay second in the West, but are eliminated from the Supporters' Shield race. With the result, the LA Galaxy clinched their second straight Shield. The Sounders are next in action on Oct. 15 when they host San Jose. A win or a draw will clinch second place in the West. Scoring Summary: PHI -- Freddy Adu 2 (Gabriel Farfan 2) 60 PHI -- Brian Carroll 1 (Sebastien Le Toux 9) 70 Misconduct Summary: SEA -- Lamar Neagle (caution; Reckless Foul) 63 Lineup: Philadelphia Union -- Zac MacMath, Sheanon Williams, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Brian Carroll, Justin Mapp (Jack McInerney 86), Freddy Adu (Amobi Okugo 75), Sebastien Le Toux, Veljko Paunovic (Stefani Miglioranzi 89).

Júnior Lopes making the adjustment to life at Chivas USA

CARSON, Calif. – Since joining Chivas USA from Romanian club FC Universitatea Craiova on Aug. 12, center back David Júnior Lopes has become a staple in the Goats defense. Five of his first six appearances have been starts. But that’s not to say that there haven’t been bumps along the road as the 6-foot-4 Júnior Lopes has adjusted to life in MLS. "I knew it'd be a complicated transition from Europe, but it's been easier than I expected and overall, I'm very happy and I hope that I can stay for a while," he told MLSsoccer.com. "The first three games were very important for me because I had a lot of doubts and I questioned my soccer and what I could do. Those two games were important for me in defining what kind of player that I wanted to be." What Júnior Lopes has become is a hard-nosed defender, using his imposing size to overpower opponents. But his penchant for physical play has gotten him into some trouble during his short time with Chivas USA. In his first appearance, the 29-year-old was lucky not to surrender a penalty kick after appearing to bring down a Sounders player late in the match. Two matches later, the Brazilian was red-carded for a tackle on Chris Pontius that left the D.C. United winger with a broken right leg. Since returning from his suspension, however, Júnior Lopes has shown signs of quality. "It's a matter of him getting fit and his legs under him and certainly integrating him into back four and he's been very proactive about that," Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser said of the 29-year-old Brazilian Júnior Lopes admits that returning to match fitness has been the biggest issue since arriving at Chivas. After Universitatea Craiova were excluded from the Romanian top flight due to a legal dispute in July, he returned home. "I had been off for a while on vacation in Brazil, so it took me awhile to get into game shape and out of the funk that I was in," said Júnior Lopes. "I had those negative moments, but working out those kinks was important because I had so much time off." Now at full match fitness and with Chivas out of postseason contention, Júnior Lopes has set his sights on locking down a spot for 2012. "I hope to come back," he added. "I want to finish my career in MLS. I feel like I have a lot of good years left and I feel like I can help Chivas USA."