(Times staff / COLIN KERRIGAN)

Union starting XI just announced for tonight's match against Sporting Kansas City. Here it is:

GK MacMath
DEF G Farfan
DEF Valdes
DEF Okugo
DEF Gaddis
MF M Farfan
MF Carroll
MF Lahoud
MF Adu
FW McInerney
FW Pajoy (pictured)

A couple observations here:
BACKLINE: With Sheanon Williams listed as 'out' in the injury report with a right big toe avulsion fracture, you knew the Union were going to have to get creative. So Ray Gaddis is back at right back, and we get to see more of Amobi Okugo paired with captain Carlos Valdes at centerback. Never a bad thing.

MIDFIELD: Nothing doing here. As John Hackworth said this week, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. So you get the same lineup the Union tossed out there a week ago. Good to see Hack sticking to his guns.

FORWARD: A little different look here, with Lio Pajoy returning from his one-game suspension and knocking Josue Martinez from the starting lineup. I still think Pajoy, who's been a step too slow this season, has something to prove before he gets playing time ahead of Martinez. But that's not up to me, now is it? Also, Jack McInerney gets his second consecutive start. Great opportunity for the kid to have at it. He's been champing at the bit since the end of last season and had been denied the chance. Let's see if he's as aggressive as he was a week ago.

Here's the Union's bench for tonight:
GK Konopka
DEF Lopez
MF Daniel
MF Torres
FW Hoppenot
FW Martinez
FW Perlaza

If I'm Hackworth, I'm looking to Perlaza, Martinez and Hoppenot to give me a lift if the Union trail late. As far as we can tell, Torres is not 100 percent -- per Hackworth -- and could be a liability if he rushes back for more than garbage time.