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United hopes to close gap on Union

Jul 1, 2011 - 4:48 PM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United made big news this week with the addition of Dwayne De Rosario, and can make more headlines with a victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

United has accumulated just four points less than all of last season, when it finished with the worst mark in Major League Soccer. And a win at RFK Stadium against the Union, who lead the Eastern Conference, would pull United within just five points of the division lead.

"I think we have a good team and the ability to [make up those points] as long as we keep the guys motivated, working hard, focused and playing as a unit," De Rosario said.

United coach Ben Olsen added De Rosario in a trade with New York and acquired defender Brandon McDonald in a trade with the San Jose Earthquakes, and the first-year manager wanted to get the new players involved quickly.

"Again, there's going to be some growing pains with this whole deal. Any time you add new players, it takes a little bit of time, but we need to get [De Rosario] involved with this group as quick as possible," Olsen said.

After the signing of McDonald, Olsen said: "I think he's going to be good for this team."

If United (4-5-6) can get the two new additions worked into the team quickly, it could pay huge dividends over the remaining 19 games of the season.

Charlie Davies, on loan from French side Sochaux, is tied for the league lead with eight goals, and De Rosario - a four-time MLS Cup champion and two-time MLS CUP MVP - adds a new dynamic to the offense.

"Dwayne, over the years, is a guy that's been utilized as a playmaker, a striker, a withdrawn forward, and with his free role, he's very unpredictable. All of those qualities make him a very dangerous player," Union coach Peter Nowak said.

Even though De Rosario grabbed most of the headlines, Nowak also believed the signing of McDonald was important for United.

"They're both quality players," Nowak said. "We have a very difficult game in front of us."

United is winless in its last four matches, the last being a 2-2 draw against the Houston Dynamo, so the reinforcements came at a bad time for the Union.

Philadelphia (7-4-5) leads the East after a 3-2 win over Chivas USA last week, as it allowed more than one goal for the just the third time this season - but also won for the second time in those matches.

"You're disappointed as a group to give up two goals, but the offense came through, which is awesome," Union defender Danny Califf said. "It really gives us a lot of confidence."

Striker Veljko Paunovic, making his third consecutive start, had a goal and an assist last weekend and has provided a spark for the Union's offense. And with the additions United made this week, the Union may need a few goals this week.