Ppl Park

Saturday at 1:30 p.m., PPL Park TV: NBC10. Records: New York, 15-9-9, 54 points; Union, 10-17-6, 36 points. Coaches: New York, Hans Backe (46-26-30); Union, John Hackworth (8-10-4). This season: New York has won both games against the Union. The Red Bulls won, 3-2, on May 13 at PPL Park and defeated the visiting Union, 2-0, on July 21. Goals for: New York, 54; Union, 37. Goals against: New York, 46; Union, 42. Most recent MLS games: New York played visiting Kansas City to a scoreless draw last Saturday.

This mostly forgettable Union season concludes on Saturday, but the finale carries plenty of importance. The Union (10-17-6) play host to the New York Red Bulls (15-9-9) in Saturday's 1:30 p.m. Major League Soccer regular-season finale at PPL Park. While the Union have long been out of the playoff race, they could make things miserable for New York. The Red Bulls have clinched one of the top five Eastern Conference playoff spots, but will be vying for a critical first-round bye. With 54 points, New York is two behind third-place Chicago and three behind second-place D.C. United, with each having one game remaining.

KANSAS CITY - C.J. Sapong scored in the 82nd minute as Sporting Kansas City defeated the Union, 2-1, before 19,428 fans in MLS action at Livestrong Sporting Park Wednesday night. SKC, the Eastern Conference champion, finished its season at 18-7-9. Kansas City opened the scoring on a goal by Jacob Peterson, assisted by Sapong and Kei Kamara in the 40th minute. The Union (10-17-6) answered 13 minutes later on an unassisted goal by Antoine Hoppenot. The Union, which failed to make the playoffs, plays its final game of the season on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls at PPL Park at 1:30 p.m.  

When: Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Where: Livestrong Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kan. TV: The Comcast Network. Records: Union, 10-16-6, 36 points; Kansas City, 17-7-9, 60 points. Coaches: Union, John Hackworth (8-9-4); Kansas City, Peter Vermes (44-35-30). Union on the road: 3-9-4. Kansas City at home: 9-3-4. Previous meetings: The Union won, 4-0, at PPL Park on June 23 in MLS action. On July 11, Kansas City won, 2-0, in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup at PPL Park.

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.

WITH ITS playoff hopes dashed, the Union defeated the New England Revolution, 1-0, on Saturday at PPL Park. Jack McInerney converted a header off a free kick in the 73rd minute for the only goal. The Union is 10-15-6. McInerney has scored in three straight games. "Well, I have proved that I can score goals, that is why coach Hack [John Hackworth] drafted me here, and for him to give me the opportunity and for me to finally keep putting goals in game after game, it just shows his belief in me and my ability," McInerney said.

Both Jack McInerney and his Union team have continued their strong late-season play, even with the team out of the Major League Soccer postseason picture. McInerney's header in the 73d minute gave the Union a 1-0 win Saturday over the New England Revolution at PPL Park. It was the third win in their last four games for the Union (10-15-6) and their second in a row. McInerney, 20, has scored in three consecutive games. He has a team-high seven goals after he totaled four in the previous two years.

This article has been corrected. The version that appeared in print editions of Friday's Inquirer had an incorrect name for Major League Soccer. Maybe it was just a coincidence, but the Union had one of their best efforts of the season Wednesday - a 3-1 Major League Soccer win over the host Chicago Fire - with one of the franchise's so-called villains in attendance. Peter Nowak, the scorned former Union team manager, whose bungled transactions before he was fired in June have made him public enemy No. 1 among the dedicated, was honored at halftime as part of the Fire's 15th-anniversary celebration.

Saturday at 7 p.m., PPL Park. TV: CSN. Records: New England, 7-16-8, 29 points; Union, 9-15-6, 33 points. Coaches: New England, Jay Heaps (7-16-8); Union, John Hackworth (7-8-4). Union at home: 6-7-2. New England on the road: 1-12-2. Goals for: New England, 37; Union, 34. Goals against: New England, 43; Union, 37. Previous meetings: The Union won, 2-1, on July 29 at PPL Park. On Sept. 1, the teams played to a scoreless draw.

Who: Houston Dynamo (12-7-10, 46 points) at Union (7-14-6, 27 points). When: Sunday, 4 p.m. Where: PPL Park, Chester. TV: 6ABC. Coaches: Houston, Dominic Kinnear (112-74-91 overall, 85-60-70 at Houston); Union, John Hackworth (5-7-4). Dynamo on the road: 3-7-5; Union at home: 5-7-2. Goals for: Dynamo, 41; Union, 26 Goals against: Dynamo, 34; Union, 32. Previous meetings: The Union lost, 2-1, on June 30 at Houston.