Union's Nowak says team needs to improve counterattack

HOUSTON - So many times last year, the script was similar, with the Union dominating play but coming up short on the scoreboard.

As they finished 8-15-3 in their first season in Major League Soccer, the Union played an entertaining style, one that had them constantly attacking, even if they frequently got burned on counterattacks.

So maybe it was a bit of poetic justice that in Saturday's opening, 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium, the Union were back on their heels instead of attacking. They were outplayed by the Dynamo, but not outscored.

It was the opposite of a year ago, but team manager Peter Nowak realizes that the Union have to be more aggressive on offense.

"We had a couple counterattacks with open space, and we need to finish and provide that final pass," Nowak said. "It didn't happen, but after the first game there is still a lot of room to improve."

Nowak opted to bring one of his most dangerous offensive players, Danny Mwanga, off the bench, choosing to start with two forwards, Sebastien Le Toux and Carlos Ruiz.

Predictably, Ruiz was involved in several physical confrontations with the Dynamo, and apparently the bad blood remains from his days with FC Dallas when the two Texas teams had some bitter battles.

Yet Ruiz didn't get a lot of touches, a problem that Mwanga had last year, which amplifies what Nowak said about making that extra pass.

Nowak made an interesting observation about his offense.

"We have to take some risks, take shots, take crosses," he said.

After only one game, to suggest that the Union are changing to a more defensive-oriented style is premature.

Although Nowak and assistant John Hackworth praised the defense, the Union were often beaten down the flanks, with Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis doing a lot of the damage. So, getting that goal by defender Danny Califf in the fifth minute, against an offensive-minded team on the road, was huge for the Union.

"You score early in game like this, especially on the road, and it's going to be like it was," Hackworth said. "You are going to have the home team pushing and pushing."

That's what happened, but the Union won't win many games playing back.

The positive thing is that the Union likely wouldn't have won a game while being outplayed last season.

Another positive was the play of Califf, who, along with fellow central defender Carlos Valdes, covered up for many of the defensive miscues.

Califf will get a lot of mention this week for scoring the lone goal, his first for the Union, but his play on defense was just as important.

"In addition to scoring, he was dominating in air against a team that is very good, got a couple key blocks," Hackworth said.

On an evening when keeper Faryd Mondragon didn't need to be spectacular, the amount of confidence he gave the team still cannot be underestimated.

The Union didn't record their first shutout until the 23d game last season. To get one in the opener, when the opponent was applying consistent pressure, is obviously a positive development.

As the Union prepare for Saturday's 4 p.m. home opener at PPL Park against the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps, they hope their offense catches up with their defense, something that a year ago would have been difficult to fathom.