Union's Brian Carroll continues his playoff-appearance streak

Union midfielder Brian Carroll kept an impressive postseason streak alive when the Union qualified for their first-ever Major League Soccer playoff berth.

Now in his ninth MLS season and first with the Union, Carroll has been a member of teams that qualified for the postseason each year. While he didn't play in the playoffs his first year with D.C. United in 2003, since then he has appeared in 18 playoff games and started each one.

Carroll was on two MLS Cup champions, with D.C. United in 2004 and the Columbus Crew in 2008. He has been a major presence as a defensive midfielder with the Union.

"That is why we got him, because he never missed the playoffs," Union team manager Peter Nowak said. "Brian is one of those guys everybody is looking for."

On a young Union team, his postseason experience is invaluable.

"My playoff experience can help the younger players, and I have and will talk to them about what to possibly expect," Carroll said. "However, they have made incredible strides all season, and I do not consider them rookies any longer."

Carroll understands how difficult it is to make the playoffs, but he understands the goal is to be the one left standing at the end.

"Making it to the playoffs nine out of nine times is great, but I am never satisfied, and I want to achieve more playoffs in the future and win more MLS Cups," he said. "The ultimate goal is to contend for a championship, and in order to do that you need to qualify for the playoffs. All of this would not have been possible without great teammates that achieved great chemistry on and off the field."

Union forward Danny Mwanga has been hampered by a hip injury that has limited his effectiveness. Mwanga has had sporadic playing time lately, but he moved well after being inserted at halftime in the season finale, a 1-0 loss at the New York Red Bulls.

"I feel fine right now," Mwanga said earlier this week after practice. "It was hard to get back to 100 percent because the hip injury prevents you from sprinting, and right now I feel better, and it's good timing with the playoffs beginning."

Mwanga could be a true X-factor in the postseason.

"He is coming back and reaching 100 percent level at the perfect time for us," Union assistant coach John Hackworth said. "If we are to make a deep run in the playoffs, I would expect Danny would have a heck of a lot to do with it."

While Nowak wouldn't rule out midfielder-forward Veljko Paunovic for Sunday's game, he didn't sound optimistic either. Paunovic has been battling a hamstring injury and is listed as doubtful on the league injury report. "I don't think it is major stuff, and I would not say he is out for the whole series," Nowak said.

Nowak added that it would be a day-to-day evaluation.