Union's outside defenders part of the attack

With goals seemingly even more difficult to come by in the postseason, speculation all week has centered on whether the Union will dial back the offense in preparation for their Major League Soccer two-game aggregate goal Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Houston Dynamo.

The teams meet in the first game at 5 p.m. Sunday at PPL Park in Chester, with the second game Thursday at Houston's Robertson Stadium.

Representatives of both teams indicated that now is not the time to make changes, so expect the Union to attack from the back.

One of the reasons the Union offense (tied for fourth in MLS in goal differential at plus-8) was effective this season was the play of outside defenders Sheanon Williams and later, when he earned a starting spot, Gabe Farfan.

Both have played striker in the past and have that type of attacking mentality to carry the ball far into the offensive zone, attract defenders, and hit open teammates.

"I think as defenders, you can help the team out more than one way, and Sheanon and I like to carry the ball from the back and help the attack," Farfan said. "And now that it's the playoffs, we won't be changing the way we play."

Union central defender Carlos Valdes picks his spots while fellow central defender Danny Califf comes up more on set pieces since he is so strong in the air.

Yet it's Farfan and Williams who can apply constant pressure. In addition, Williams can heave a ball a long way on a throw-in, almost as if it's a corner kick.

"We're very aware of Farfan and Williams and their role in the attack," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. "It's one of the things we have to prepare for."

Obviously, the key for the outside backs is their ability to get back on defense, or at least have others cover for them, after making one of their runs.

Defensive midfielder Brian Carroll is especially adept at making sure players are marked in the opponent's offensive end.

Will there be adjustments by both teams?

No question. Yet staying the course seems to be the course this week.

"You can't overwhelm guys with information," Union team manager Peter Nowak said. "They have played the game they played for 34 weeks."

Since this is a two-game, aggregate-goal series, a team that is up one or two goals or down by a similar margin after one game might have to change its tactics.

For the opener, neither team appears ready to come out playing overly cautious, although there will be an emphasis on players who make runs from the back, making sure they are not out of defensive position.

Union assistant coach John Hackworth feels that teams do get more conservative as they advance deeper into the playoffs, but he thinks neither team will hesitate to create a numbers disadvantage in the offensive zone.

The key is making the runs at the most opportune times, to mix things up, giving the opponent different looks.

"I think one of the principles of good, attacking soccer is when you have good mobility with players, and the team can push numbers forward and create a ton of problems for the opposition," Hackworth said. "It is especially successful when you are not predictable in your movement, and we are not predictable."

And between two relatively evenly matched teams who were separated by one point in the standings (Houston 49, Union 48), the series looks to be just as unpredictable as well.

Union manager Peter Nowak

is likely to have his outside defenders as part of the attack against Houston in the opener on Sunday.

Story, E6.