Danny Mwanga

DESPITE a new coach, the Union experienced the same result Saturday in a 1-0 loss to D.C. United at PPL Park. The Union has not won a Major League Soccer game since April 14, but came away with some optimism for the future as the players get further acclimated to interim coach John Hackworth's system. "It was a great night for the Philadelphia Union in a lot of ways," Hackworth said afterward, while acknowledging the disappointment of missed opportunities. "And I was excited.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A questionable call was decisive in the battle for first place in the Eastern Conference as the Union lost to the Columbus Crew, 2-1, Saturday night. Defender Sheanon Williams was called for a hand ball in the box in the 49th minute. Crew forward Andres Mendoza buried the winning goal on the ensuing penalty kick. "It's physically impossible to see from the angle that the referee was running," team manager Peter Nowak said. "And, to make a call like that in a game like that, it's a little bit too much.

The Union, preparing for their Major League Soccer season that begins March 19 in Houston, have wrapped up two weeks of training in Greece. Before leaving Heraklion, Crete, Union manager Peter Nowak said the trip went well. "It's been very good," he said. The team practiced for a final time Wednesday at Ergotelis F.C.'s Pancretan Stadium. "Everything around here was really first-class," Nowak said. "You can see how the players came together during meals and practices.

The Union might enter their third Major League Soccer season without Sebastien Le Toux, their leading scorer and, arguably, most popular player. Ives Galarcep of Foxsoccer.com reported Wednesday that the Union may sell Le Toux to Bolton of the English Premier League. Le Toux posted on his Twitter account, "On a jet plane headed to England. " Union manager Peter Nowak sent a text Wednesday saying, "Team policy is we don't comment or discuss on anything that is not certain.

IT'S CLICHÉ TO say things can't get any worse. But if the Union comes up short against a hungry Rochester Rhinos team Tuesday night in the U.S. Open Cup, "worse" would be putting it gently. The Union (2-7-2) is winless in its last five matches and coming off a 1-0 loss to Toronto, which entered at 0-9. Following the loss, forward Danny Mwanga said it is imperative that the players in the locker room "keep their heads up and try to learn from this game. " But with the Union plagued by injuries, a rotating lineup and a nonexistent offense, many have the Union as an underdog against the Rhinos, from the USL Pro League, even with the game at PPL Park (7:30 p.m.)

SEBASTIEN LE TOUX scored two goals on penalty kicks in the Union's 2-2 tie with FC Dallas on Saturday night at PPL Park. So much for the game. The big news was Freddy Adu's debut as a member of the Union. The 22-year-old started the game in midfield and played 61 minutes before being substituted for by Danny Mwanga. His only appearance on the stat sheet was a yellow card for a "reckless tackle" in the game's 27th minute. "You always have to get the first one out of the way," Adu said on the team's website.

After the Union's season, team manager Peter Nowak talked about the importance of having competitions at all positions. With the addition of Costa Rican international Josue Martinez on Wednesday, Nowak has added depth to the forward position. The 5-foot-10 Martinez turns 22 in March. It will be interesting to see the impact his addition has on Danny Mwanga. Of course, Mwanga and Martinez could both play up top if Sebastien Le Toux is moved back to the midfield. However, Le Toux is most effective as the target player up top. Mwanga, 20, took a step back during a second season that was marred by a hip injury.

The information from U.S. Soccer referred to an "inexperienced lineup" and the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup as "more important. " Sorry, but the U.S. national team was playing World Cup champion Spain before 64,121 Saturday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., and its 4-0 loss can't be treated as an afterthought. "Spain is a great team," understated U.S. coach Bob Bradley. "It's a tough test to play against them at any time and it becomes even tougher on the eve of the Gold Cup. It's what the game at the highest level is all about.

THERE ARE FEW TIMES when one can say a loss speaks volumes in favor of the loser. But it can be said emphatically in the case of the Union. In front of a raucous crowd of 57,305 at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday night, the litmus test that was a 2-1 loss to Spanish power Real Madrid proved the Union can hang with the world's best - even if it took a little time to get up to speed. "It was definitely a challenge, but I think we responded well," said Union manager Peter Nowak.

Danny Mwanga says he feels no extra pressure, and nobody expected a different response. Still, the Union have acquired German forward Kai Herdling, who is on loan through June 30 with the option to stay the entire season. While Herdling could also be used as an attacking midfielder, the Union are obviously bringing him in to spice up an offense that has scored three goals in five games. At 1-3-1, the Union have plenty of time to right the ship, but how much time does Mwanga have?