(Times / JULIA WILKINSON)

This isn't breaking news, but ... the Union aren't playing well. At least not against MLS competition, they aren't.

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that Union boss Peter Nowak said Monday, in advance of the Union's fourth-round U.S. Open Cup match at D.C. United Tuesday night, the Union are not taking this tournament lightly.

“Success breeds success,” Nowak said, in a conference call with reporters. “That's why I was very extreemly disappointed. We lost the game to New York and played a good feisty game (in a draw) against Dallas and we made progress. ... In (a loss to) Toronto we were very passive. That's not the way we play. That's why I was disappointed. Right now is a good opportunity for all of us to step in the right direction and make it good again.”

Look at it this way: If the Union steal a win from D.C. at the Maryland Sportsplex, they'll host a June 26 Open Cup quarterfinal against either MLS rival New York Red Bulls or the Harrisburg City Islanders, their minor league affiliate. There's plenty of incentive here to win Tuesday night.

“We treat all these games with respect,” Nowak said. “I've been preaching for years, that everything starts in training. ... You can't take these games lightly like the other (MLS) teams did, because then you'll be eliminated.

"It's important to show up. Whenever you put it all on the plate, you can have a good result.”

INJURY NOTES: Nowak said goalkeeper Zac MacMath will find out Tuesday morning whether he'll have clearance to return from a concussion. ... Centerback Sheanon Williams has had "problems with his big toe," but he should be OK. ... Right back Ray Gaddis is "still recovering from the flu virus, the bug," said Nowak. No word on whether he'll be available.