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Reinforcements on their way for Union

The Union feel refreshed after a long breather and, more important, they enter their game against the Portland Timbers at 7 p.m. Saturday at PPL Park almost as healthy as they have been all season.

The Union feel refreshed after a long breather and, more important, they enter their game against the Portland Timbers at 7 p.m. Saturday at PPL Park almost as healthy as they have been all season.

They haven't played a Major League Soccer game since a 2-2 draw against visiting Montreal on June 27 and last played at all in a 2-1 win over D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 on June 30.

So now the Union (5-10-4) are rested and ready to make a run at one of the six Eastern Conference playoff spots over their last 15 games.

Coach Jim Curtin indicated this week that forwards Fernando Aristeguieta (ankle) and Conor Casey (quadriceps), midfielder Sebastien Le Toux (knee), and defender Steven Vitoria (hamstring) all could be available for selection.

Now Curtin, who has had to ride his starters with heavy minutes, will get the chance to have some added depth.

"Guys coming back from injuries, it is almost like we are making new signings because there are quite a few of them that have missed large chunks of the season, so it is important to get back everyone," said defender Maurice Edu, who leads the team in minutes played with 1,620. "It increases competition for positions and adds to the atmosphere we have here."

Aristeguieta suffered his injury June 3 against Columbus and missed the last four MLS games. Le Toux suffered a meniscus injury June 6 against New York City FC and missed the last three MLS games. Both could add punch to the attack.

And now there will be more of a fight for minutes.

"Guys coming back from injury have a little more life, and when you are out and the team goes on a good run, there is a little more sense of urgency to show you are still a guy who can be called upon as a starter," Curtin said.

Union-Timbers preview

Portland Timbers (9-6-4, 31 points) at Union (5-10-4, 19 points, Saturday at 7 p.m., PPL Park.

TV: 6ABC.

Timbers on the road: 3-5-1; Union at home: 4-4-2.

Goals: Timbers, 22; Union, 22.

Goals against: Timbers 20; Union, 32.

Last MLS game: Portland earned a 1-0 home win over San Jose on Sunday. The Union played visiting Montreal to a 2-2 draw on June 27.

Outlook: Portland is 6-1 in its last seven games. No MLS team has more points in its last 10 matches than Portland (21). . . . Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell ranks second among all MLS players with 131 clearances. Fellow defender Alvas Powell, who has started all 19 games, will miss the match while competing for Jamaica in the Gold Cup. . . . Portland forward Fanendo Adi entered the weekend tied for fourth in MLS with eight goals. Keeper Adam Kwarasey (1.05 GAA) has started all 19 games for Portland. . . . The Union have been off since a 2-1 U.S. Open Cup win over visiting D.C. United on June 30. . . . Midfielder Erik Ayuk, who received a red card (for two yellows) in the Union's last MLS game, must sit out. . . . Reinforcements could be coming for the Union. Forwards Fernando Aristeguieta (ankle) and Conor Casey (quadriceps), midfielder Sebastien Le Toux (knee), and defender Steven Vitoria (hamstring) all could be available, according to coach Jim Curtin. Midfielder Michael Lahoud reinjured his hip during practice this week and remains out. . . . Keeper Brian Sylvestre (1.56 GAA) has started the last nine games. . . . C.J. Sapong leads the Union with six goals, including five in his last seven games.

- Marc Narducci

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