Union playing hard to the end

The Union are in the middle of a two-week period with no games, and the players aren't anxious for the time off. Just as they won't be anxious to have this Major League Soccer season end on time.

The team was officially eliminated from the playoffs on Sept. 29 with a 3-2 loss at Columbus, yet the Union have not packed it in.

Even with their playoff hopes dashed, they are approaching each game as if it has all the meaning in the world.

Then again, for many players, the games are of utmost importance if they want to remain working for the Union.

While it may seem hollow to praise a team for not giving up when there is nothing tangible to shoot for, there are many teams in sports that don't go all-out until the end.

Obviously, the Union have had a disappointing season, but at least the players have enough respect for themselves; their sport; and, yes, the fans not to mail in any of the games.

The team has won three of the last four with only the loss to Columbus. Three of the four teams they faced were in serious playoff contention when they faced the Union. The only exception was New England, a team that the Union beat, 1-0, on Saturday at PPL Park in Chester.

So at a time when many teams become unglued, this Union team has stuck together. Whether it bodes well for next year remains to be seen, but it sure beats the alternative.

"We are a bunch of young guys with some experienced players, and I think finishing the season strong is a good thing," said midfielder Keon Daniel, who had what team manager John Hackworth called his best game in the win over New England. "When you do your best, I think it can carry over into next season and you can only get better."

What is interesting is that Hackworth and the players all talked about performing well not only for each other, but also for the fans.

The Union have enjoyed outstanding fan support in their three seasons, and the players and Hackworth seem to want to reward that loyalty.

"Regardless of where we are in the playoff standings," keeper Zac MacMath said, "the team wants to get better, and we want to prove that to the fans and to ourselves."

One of the players who has led the surge is Jack McInerney, who has scored in three straight games and has a team-high seven goals.

"It shows we still want to play and want to prove ourselves for next year and want to keep fans motivated to come to the games," McInerney said.

So the team feels a deep commitment to each other and the fans. It's why there has been no letdown at a time when athletes in similar circumstances might have mentally been making offseason plans instead of attempting to close out a disappointing season on a positive note.