No panic yet from Union

WITH THE second of three matches in a week span starting on Wednesday for the Union, there is very little time to go back to the drawing board, as they say.

Although it wouldn't hurt.

The club comes off its second loss in a row with Saturday's 1-0 result against Seattle.

Against a 22-year-old goalkeeper making his first MLS start in Seattle's Brian Meredith, the Union registered just one shot on goal. It also marked the 12th league game dating back to October of last season in which the Union (2-5-1, seven points) was unable to score two goals or more in a match. The lack of offense is evident and it's beginning to wear on what has been a stingy Union defense.

On Wednesday, the Union hosts German power Schalke 04 in an exhibition match at PPL Park (7:30 p.m.) before a Mother's Day showdown with rival Red Bull New York on Sunday (12:30 p.m., ESPN2).

However, there is no panic just yet, according to Union assistant John Hackworth.

"It's still very early here, so no need to hit the panic button at all," said Hackworth, again filling in for Union boss Peter Nowak, who was serving a two-match ban for an April 21 fracas against Chivas USA. "We have a lot of young guys in our locker room, a lot of new guys in our locker room; we just need to give ourselves time and come out next week against New York. That will be huge for us."

Mauro Rosales scored for Seattle (6-1-1, 19 points) in the 63rd minute, overshadowing what actually was a solid day for Union keeper Zac MacMath. MacMath had five saves on six shots, and the goal came due to a defensive lapse - as the defense shifted to double Seattle striker Fredy Montero, allowing Montero to slot the ball to a wide-open Rosales for his first goal of the season.

"We're a little disappointed, it's the second week in a row we lose the game by a goal against two of the best teams in the league," Hackworth said. "We know we can play better, we know we have to fix this problem we have of being more dangerous and opening teams up a little more, creating some chances and taking some, too. We'll just have to continue to work on that. I think we all believe that we are a good team, we've put our back against the wall and we have to play out of it."