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For Union, road game will have Impact

Need win over Montreal to stay in playoff hunt

Union midfielder Michael Lahoud (13), defender Fabinho (33), midfielder Michael Farfan (21) and forward Conor Casey (6) try to block a free kick during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting KC in Kansas City, Kan., Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. (Orlin Wagner/AP)
Union midfielder Michael Lahoud (13), defender Fabinho (33), midfielder Michael Farfan (21) and forward Conor Casey (6) try to block a free kick during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Sporting KC in Kansas City, Kan., Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. (Orlin Wagner/AP)Read more

YOU MIGHT have noticed that the Union is involved in a playoff race.

Right now, they are within reach of making the postseason with 46 points from a 12-10-10 record. But, as of now, the Union is tied with Chicago and Montreal in points but would lose a tiebreaker to both, which would leave them out of the postseason.

The Union did not make it any easier on themselves last weekend in Washington. With the playoff push bearing down, they battled to a 1-1 draw against last-place D.C. United, placing them on the wrong side of the playoff cuts.

"We know where we are right now," Union coach John Hackworth said. "We have to go up to Montreal and we have to get points. There is no other alternative for us right now."

Montreal had a chance to pull away from the Union in the standings, but could not come away with a win at home against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Impact's 1-0 loss Wednesday night makes the race for the playoffs even more exciting for the Union.

"It's tight and it's crazy," Hackworth said. "The feeling within our locker room is pretty confident. If we go take care of business our next two games, we have a great chance to be in the playoffs. If we don't do it, then that is on us. We are in a good position because we are in the fight. So are a lot of other teams. There are all kinds of scenarios out there right now, but we can't control what other teams are doing, we just have to control ourselves."

The Union had a chance to control their own destiny last weekend in D.C. They came home with a point, thanks to a goal from Jack McInerney that prevented them from falling farther out of the playoff hunt. Though they are disappointed with the outcome, Hackworth sees the big picture.

"We have had some good performances and our last game we didn't feel like we played particularly well, but we got a point, a really important point," Hackworth said.

The point kept their playoff hopes alive, and allowed them to look ahead for improvement.

"We feel like we can play better, and that is what we have to do in Montreal," Hackworth said. "Whatever else happens in the league happens. But if we do what we are supposed to, then we still have to fight for that last game against Sporting Kansas City here."

The draw with United not only kept them in the picture, but it allows them to play their style of soccer.

"We are certainly a team that likes to have a little edge to us, a little chip on our shoulder," Hackworth said. "That likes to read things about how we are not going to be successful. That fires these guys up. When you tell them they can't do something, they certainly try to rise up."

The Union will have a chance to rise to the occasion tomorrow when they meet host Montreal. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. from Saputo Stadium.