Union visit Orlando City with playoff hopes dwindling

The Union are getting past believing that there is plenty of time left in this Major League Soccer season to earn one of the six Eastern Conference playoff berths.

They will face what is nearly a must-win situation Saturday night when they visit expansion Orlando City.

The Union are in last place in the 10-team Eastern Conference with a 6-13-4 record. Orlando City, which boasts two of MLS's most dynamic players, rookie Cyle Larin and midfielder Kaka, is 7-10-6 and in seventh place.

The Union have lost three straight MLS games and have just 11 left this season. "This is a tough time for us," midfielder Sebastien Le Toux said.

The Union have allowed 40 goals, the most in MLS. Orlando's Larin has already tied a league rookie record with 11 goals and Kaka has nine.

The Union have been off since a 3-1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. Orlando lost, 4-1, on Wednesday at Toronto. This will be Orlando's third game in eight days.

"We're letting up too many goals," said Le Toux, who scored his 50th career MLS goal on Saturday. "We have to tighten up."

The Union expect center back Richie Marquez, who missed the last two MLS games with an ankle injury, to return. Fellow center back Maurice Edu, who has been the team's top player, is questionable with a groin injury.

This will be the second game for heralded international signing Tranquillo Barnetta, who played 26 minutes in his debut against the Red Bulls.