Inside the Union: Union expects emotional game Saturday in Boston

The Union are riding a high with a three-game unbeaten streak, and they play a team this week with just one win and two goals. Yet it might be the toughest game of the season.

On Saturday the Union will visit the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium, in Foxboro, Mass.

This will be the first home game for the Revolution since the Boston Marathon bombings. The Revolution are coming off last week's 4-1 loss in Harrison, N.J., to the New York Red Bulls.

And while that was an emotional game, with the fans of both teams entering the stadium together, this one is home, about 40 minutes from downtown Boston.

The Revolution are also dealing with other issues. Veteran keeper Matt Reis' father-in-law, John Odom, was seriously injured at the marathon. Reis and other family members were near the finish line when the bombs exploded. They were there watching Reis' wife compete.

His father-in-law was the only one in their group of seven who was hurt. Reis, who has been practicing this week, told the Revolution website Wednesday that his father-in-law has already gone through three operations and "I am still not sure if he is out of the woods yet."

In addition, talented defender Kevin Alston is sidelined with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare but treatable form of cancer.

On top of that, the Revolution (1-3-2) understand that while this is still the early stages of a 34-game season, the game with the Union will have some extra urgency.

"We will pick ourselves up and look to get three [points] against Philly," defender Chris Tierney told reporters after Saturday's loss. "It is a must win for us at home, and we're looking forward to that."

The Union (3-2-2) will be facing a team that will no doubt feed off the emotion of the home crowd and is desperate for a win.

So never mind that the Union are 5-0-3 lifetime against the Revs, including a 1-0 win at PPL Park last month. Union team manager John Hackworth knows what his team is up against. He embraces the challenge.

"There will definitely be a lot of emotion," Hackworth said. "That is the good thing about sports; it is just a game but can bring two teams and a city to watch a good sporting event, and that is what it will be."

Hackworth, like most people, said he was glued to the television last week. In addition, he has a long relationship with Alston, having coached him in an under-17 residency program.

"My thoughts are with Kevin, a former player of mine," Hackworth said.